Mapping structural changes in breast tissue disease using x-ray scattering.

Spread of invasive carcinoma throughout breast tissue is believed to occur at supramolecular levels, beyond the range of standard histopathology identification. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) is capable of characterizing the structural properties of collagen and tissue found in the breast at the scale of tens to hundreds of nanometers. Fifty-six patients who were treated with wide-local excision or mastectomy had tissue biopsy samples analyzed at 2 cm intervals along two perpendicular axes over their excised mass, up to 6 cm away from the primary site of the tumor.

Impact of core biopsy on the management of screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Background: Screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) usually presents as clinically impalpable microcalcification. Although core biopsy is well established as a diagnostic modality for invasive breast cancers, few reports address its impact on the management of screen-detected DCIS. We examined the sensitivity of core biopsy in diagnosing screen-detected DCIS, as well as its role in facilitating one-step surgery in the community, especially a breast-conserving approach.