Interventional Radiology in the Management of Breast Cancer: Current Role and Future Directions.

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is an exceptionally common yet heterogenous malignancy, that requires cautious treatment planning through interdisciplinary communication. In this ever-evolving field, a variety of image-guided treatments are arising as promising adjuncts-or even alternatives-to conventional therapies in both early and metastatic disease.

PURPOSE: In this article, we aim to briefly review the status of evidence regarding the safety and clinical outcomes of image-guided ablation in early-stage and oligometastatic breast cancer as well as the role of intra-arterial techniques in high-volume metastatic disease.

RESULTS

Compelling prospective data support primary tumor ablation as an effective option, offering high rates of complete tumor eradication and low incidence of recurrence. The use of locoregional therapies in metastatic breast cancer, with the goal of local tumor control or even radical therapy, is emerging as a viable option in carefully selected patients; however, available data remain disparate, and further high-quality trials are warranted.

CONCLUSION

In line with current and ongoing clinical trials, minimally invasive techniques-especially for elderly and frail individuals-represent practical solutions associated with reduced treatment-related morbidity, faster recovery times, improved patient satisfaction, and quality of life.