Ablative approaches to the minimally invasive treatment of breast cancer

With the improvements in imaging techniques that have allowed the earlier detection of smaller breast cancers and the desire for improvements in cosmetic outcome, a number of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of early-stage breast cancers are being investigated. Ablative therapies, including laser ablation, focused ultrasound, microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation, have been described. All of these techniques have shown promise in the treatment of small cancers of the breast; however, additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of these techniques when they are used as the sole therapy and to determine the long-term local recurrence rates and survival associated with these treatment strategies.