Image-guided biopsy in women with breast cancer presenting with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2006 Jan-Feb:16 Suppl 1:108-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2006.00322.x.

Abstract

When women with a history of breast cancer present with peritoneal carcinomatosis, the differential diagnosis lies between recurrent breast cancer or a new primary tumor. This scenario is of particular relevance to women with a BRCA gene mutation, who have a genetic predisposition to develop second primary tumors of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum. We describe the use of image-guided core biopsy as an alternative to laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy in providing minimally invasive diagnosis in this increasingly common clinical dilemma.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Biopsy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mixed Tumor, Mullerian / pathology*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Peritoneum / pathology*
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted