Impalpable Breast Cancers: A comparison of tumour volume and breast tissue removed using two surgical techniques

Abstract

Background: The NHS Breast Screening Programme has allowed the detection of small impalpable lesions which may have previously gone undetected. In 2006 30% of tumours were screen detected with 54% less than 15mm in size. The balance between excising enough tissue to leave clear margins, without taking too much healthy tissue and maintaining a good cosmetic outcome can be difficult. There are 2 ways in which lesions of this nature are excised in our centre, under ultrasound and wire guided excision.