title: Implementation of a percutaneous core needle biopsy training program: results from the University of Michigan-Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital breast cancer research partnership.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a training program in percutaneous core needle biopsy implemented in conjunction with a breast cancer research collaboration between the University of Michigan (UM) and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana.
  
  
  METHODS
  In July 2007 a Ghana-based training program for performance of core needle biopsy was jointly coordinated by the UM and KATH principal investigators (L.N. and B.A.). This course required less than 1 week for implementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the training course (July 2007 through August 2008), 82 core needle biopsies of breast masses were performed at KATH. Of these, 56 had tissue specimens available for review at UM for comparison with KATH primary pathology reports. Forty-six of the 56 UM-reviewed cases (82%) had a KATH diagnosis of breast cancer; UM pathology review was in agreement with the cancer diagnosis in all 46 cases (100%). Ten of the 56 UM-reviewed cases (18%) had a KATH diagnosis of benign fibroadenoma/fibrocystic breast tissue; UM review was concordant in all ten cases (100% concordance for benign lesions). For the remaining 26 procedures we were unable to retrieve either the KATH pathology report or tissue blocks for UM review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The design and implementation of appropriate diagnostic biopsy programs is important for delivery of high-quality, efficient breast cancer care in developing nations. This study demonstrates a successful 1-week training program in percutaneous core needle biopsy for a multidisciplinary group of physicians. Further work is needed for similar programs to accurately identify and classify breast cancer internationally.
authors.affiliation: Komfo Anoyke Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors.forename: Baffour
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Awuah
authors.forename: Iman K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Takyi
authors.forename: Celina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kleer
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nsiah-Asare
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aitpillah
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011379:Prognosis