The pathologist in breast cancer: contemporary issues in the interdisciplinary approach.

The pathologist's contribution to the interdisciplinary team approach in breast cancer management is a cornerstone for decision-making. Continuous communication with the radiologist, surgeon, oncologist, and radiation oncologist is essential. Preoperative diagnosis, surgical specimen work-up with size determination, sentinel lymph node examination, processing forms to facilitate the work-up, and diagnostic templates are some of the items covered in this review of the pathologist's contribution to the interdisciplinary team in breast cancer. Use of diagnostic templates or synoptic reports routinely provide the complete diagnostic information required for treatment decisions.