Mammotome
Mammotome is a Cincinnati, OH based company who pioneered a vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAC) device that uses image guidance such as x-ray, ultrasound and/or MRI to perform breast biopsies. A biopsy using a Mammotome® device can be done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic. The Mammotome brand is sold in over 45 different countries throughout the world.
Indications[edit]
A stereotaxic macro-biopsy is often indicated after suspicious elements are seen on a mammography (mass, micro-calcifications or focal abnormal changes in the tissues).[1] It is always used to analyse those elements but can sometimes also remove it completely.[2] It is often used when:
- The mammography shows a suspicious solid mass.
- The mammography shows a suspicious "islet" of micro-calcifications.
- The breast tissue seems deformed.
- A new mass or micro-calcification islet is spotted in a zone previously targeted by surgery.
Risks associated with the procedure[edit]
Side effects:[3]
- Common: bruising, mild discomfort during the procedure, mild bleeding and tenderness at the biopsy site.
- Rare: significant bleeding or pain during biopsy, significant tenderness and bleeding at the biopsy site.
Complications:
- Rare: Post-biopsy breast infection. Allergic reaction to the local anaesthetic.
Complications from biopsies can delay subsequent breast surgery.
The procedure may, rarely, fail due to inaccurate sampling of the lesion; results may underestimate the severity of the lesion although these risks do not differ from other biopsy or surgical procedures. Occasionally, even after a successful biopsy, the diagnosis may remain uncertain and require a surgical biopsy, especially when atypical or precancerous cells are found on core biopsy.
Limitations of the procedure[edit]
Lesions accompanied by diffuse calcium deposits scattered throughout the breast or located near the chest wall are difficult to target or evaluate by stereotactic biopsy. If the mammogram shows only a vague change in tissue density but no definite mass or nodule, the x-ray-guided method may not be successful.[4]
External links[edit]
- Mammotome entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
References[edit]
- ^ Laufer U, Frentzel K, Knoben B, Kirchner J, Donnerstag F, Liermann D. - [Minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsy with the "mammotome". Methodology and personal experiences] -Zentralbl Chir. 1998;123 Suppl 5:63-5
- ^ Dhillon MS, Bradley SA, England DW. Mammotome biopsy: impact on preoperative diagnosis rate. Clin Radiol. 2006;61:469–474.
- ^ Liberman, L. Stereotactic Core Biopsy. In: Dershaw D. , editor. Imaging-Guided Interventional Breast Techniques. New York: Springer; 2003. pp. 87–118
- ^ Mendez A, Cabanillas F, Echenique M, Malekshamran K, Perez I, Ramos E. Mammographic features and correlation with biopsy findings using 11-gauge stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (SVABB). Ann Oncol. 2004;15:450–454
This article incorporates public domain material from Dictionary of Cancer Terms. U.S. National Cancer Institute.