Management of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions

Nowadays, the awareness regarding breast cancer has increased and a large number of women are subjected to screening throughout the world. As a result of high-quality digital mammography, nonpalpable breast lesions are being frequently diagnosed. This increase in nonpalpable breast lesions is causing an enormous burden on our healthcare system. All the screen-detected breast lumps should be evaluated further to rule out malignancy. On the other hand, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a large number of palpable breast cancers become nonpalpable. Accurate localization of nonpalpable breast lesions is mandatory before going for surgical management. This chapter is focused on the various tools and techniques used to localize nonpalpable breast lesions. Radiological support with ultrasound or stereotactic localization with wires and/or ultrasound is key to have accurate wide local excision of nonpalpable lesions and is the gold standard method. Some other newer techniques such as USG, radio-guided occult lesion localization, magnetic seeds, radiofrequency seeds, and fluorescence-guided localization are feasible and safe methods of localization of nonpalpable breast lesions.