Mammotome

Mammotome is a Cincinnati, Ohio–based company who pioneered a vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAC) device that uses image guidance such as x-ray, ultrasound and/or MRI to perform breast biopsies.

A stereotaxic macro-biopsy is often indicated after suspicious elements are seen on a mammography (mass, micro-calcifications or focal abnormal changes in the tissues).

Lesions accompanied by diffuse calcium deposits scattered throughout the breast or located near the chest wall are difficult to target or evaluate by stereotactic biopsy.

If the mammogram shows only a vague change in tissue density but no definite mass or nodule, the x-ray-guided method may not be successful.

[4] This article incorporates public domain material from Dictionary of Cancer Terms.