Costa del Sol University Hospital (HUCS), located in Marbella, has introduced a new procedure for breast cancer diagnosis: MRI-guided biopsy. This advancement, promoted by the Andalusian Health Service, is performed on an outpatient basis and offers greater accuracy in cases of high diagnostic complexity.
Improvements in breast cancer diagnosis
The new technique targets patients with suspicious abnormalities that are only detectable through MRI, even when other methods such as ultrasound or digital mammography fail to identify these lesions.
Until now, when specialists found an anomaly visible only by MRI, they had to resort to surgical interventions. Now, thanks to MRI-guided biopsy, the breast radiology team can accurately direct instruments to the area of the lesion, which is typically only a few millimeters.
The head of the Breast Imaging section at HUCS, Gerardo Blanco, emphasized the importance of clinical coordination for the implementation of this technique. Using a vacuum-assisted system, multiple tissue samples can be obtained through a single puncture, making the process easier for the patient.
Benefits for patients
This outpatient procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and takes between 30 and 45 minutes. At the end, a microscopic clip marker is provided to the patient in the area of interest, which is useful for future treatments. This allows patients to return home the same day with minimal discomfort.
Carmen Lozano, head of Radiodiagnosis at the hospital, highlighted that this technique provides a detailed map of the tumour, allowing for precise determination of the extent of the lesion. She assured that this facilitates surgery, preserving healthy tissue and minimizing the need for re-interventions.
MRI biopsy is especially indicated for women with dense breasts, those with a high genetic risk, or patients already diagnosed who may have additional foci. It is estimated that around 30 women per year will benefit from this innovation at the hospital.
With the introduction of this technique, HUCS strengthens its Breast Unit, significantly reducing waiting times for diagnosis and decreasing patient anxiety during this critical process.
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