Breast Biopsy Devices: Interventional Medicine Comes to Breast Cancer

In breast cancer, the need for less invasive alternatives to surgery is gaping, particularly on the diagnostic side. Following routine screening mammography, 1.4 million women in the US each year have breast biopsies once a radiologist identifies a suspicious lesion. However, only 20% of women undergoing biopsies will be found to have cancer and not just abnormal, but benign growths. Several new companies have gone to the drawing board to remedy the shortcomings of biopsy devices.

Slap the word "interventional" in front of any description of medicine and all of a sudden it becomes a hot and exciting field worth funding. Indeed, new companies formed to develop minimally invasive technologies to first diagnose, and ultimately treat, breast cancers have attracted more than $130 million recently, and from "A" list venture capital firms.

In breast cancer, the need for less invasive alternatives to surgery is gaping. On the diagnostic side, following routine screening...

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