Is what you see what you get? Breast specimen handling re-visited.

Specimen radiography is already established as an essential adjunct to excisional biopsy of mammographically detected abnormalities. Two methods of specimen sectioning following the initial specimen radiograph are described. The techniques were devised to identify the lesion accurately in the specimen for subsequent pathological analysis. They have been tailored to suit the differing facilities at two Breast Screening Centres. The methods highlight the desirability of a cooperative multidisciplinary approach to the management of breast disease. They underline the importance of radiological localization of the lesion; not only for the surgeon, but also for the pathologist.