Report Calls for More Use of State-of-Art Techniques for Breast Cancer

Modern technology and techniques such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and minimally invasive biopsies can improve the diagnosis and treatment of early breast cancer only if they are more widely used, according to an international panel of experts on cancer.

Two dozen leading surgeons, radiologists and pathologists who treat breast cancer patients have urged doctors to make use of state-of-the-art technologies and petition insurance companies to provide better reimbursement.

Limited patient access to currently available techniques and treatments and inadequate reimbursements are threatening continued strides in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, according to the panel's consensus paper, "Image-Detected Breast Cancer: State-of-the-Art Diagnosis and Treatment," published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

"Over the last 20 years, we've seen major improvements in the medical community's ability to diagnose and treat patients with breast cancer," said Dr. Melvin J. Silverstein, professor of surgery at the Keck School. "However, we're now at a crossroads, and more doctors need to adopt the newer state-of-the-art technologies and techniques that until now have only been common practice in the leading institutions.

"Wider use of currently available techniques will further improve patient selection, reduce breast cancer recurrence, mortality and morbidity of therapy, improve cosmetic results, and decrease overall costs," Silverstein said.

The panel recommended more widespread use of minimally invasive breast biopsies, which can save as many as 80 percent of women a trip to the operating room and allow for better planning if a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.

The panel also called for more use of breast ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and sentinel node biopsy. They encourage advanced treatment techniques such as oncoplastic surgery and further study on emerging practices such as partial breast irradiation and radiation seed implants.

The consensus paper was drafted at a breast cancer conference sponsored by the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Other Sources: Journal of the American College of Surgeons