Atlas of breast cancer early detection

Serial sequential sampling
As a result of the increasing use of mammography screening for breast cancer, many women are referred to follow-up for an abnormality detected on mammography, most often in the form of microcalcifications.
Excision biopsy is generally done in such cases to detect a DCIS and to rule out invasive carcinoma.
The entire specimen is sectioned sequentially with careful recording of the position of the serial blocks of sections. The size (extent) of the DCIS can be determined from the number and location of the involved blocks. The margins can be inked using different colours for easy identification.