ABSTRACT
While complete removal of an abnormal breast lesion by excisional biopsy remains the gold standard in breast disease diagnosis, an array of less invasive techniques are available to determine the nature of a palpable or imaged detected breast abnormality. The widespread use of screening mammography and breast ultrasound has resulted in detection of non-palpable lesions amenable to fine needle, core needle and large bore excisional breast biopsy. All of these techniques have reduced the incidence and need for open biopsy for suspicious breast lesions.
