Rapid Histologic Assessment for Stereotactic Breast Biopsy: Enhancing Early Detection With Miniature Mass Spectrometry and AI

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Taiwanese women, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer (Stage 0 to II) is over 90%, significantly better than the survival rates for Stage III and Stage IV breast cancer, which are approximately 70% and 25%, respectively. As a result, breast cancer screening and early diagnosis have always been of great importance. Breast cancer screening relies on imaging examinations, and the diagnosis depends on imaging-guided tissue confirmation.

However, when a patient undergoes stereotactic breast biopsy due to suspicious lesions found in mammography, they typically have to wait about a week to receive the pathology results to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant. For the patient, this waiting period can be agonizing, and for clinicians, earlier knowledge of pathology results would facilitate prompt staging evaluation and treatment planning for cancer.

The investigators use a special technique-paper spray ionization miniature mass spectrometry (PSI-MMS). According to preliminary research, with the assistance of AI, the miniature mass spectrometer can detect the benign or malignant nature of breast tissue within minutes and with decent accuracy. The investigators hope to continue research to further improve accuracy to meet clinical needs and aspire to have the opportunity to apply the miniature mass spectrometer to rapidly differentiate the molecular subtypes of breast cancer.