Breast Biopsy
The Role of Biopsy
A biopsy is used to help find the cause of a breast problem.  This may be a lump you can feel.  Or it may be a breast change that can only be seen on mammogram. Some types of biopsy can be done in the doctor’s office.  Other types may be performed in an outpatient surgical setting.

Types of Biopsies:
Two main types of biopsy are common today. Surgical Biopsy requires an incision in the skin.
Percutaneous biopsies use needles or probes to remove samples through the skin.

Surgical Biopsies:
Large Core Biopsy uses a hollow instrument to remove a tissue sample.  Guided imaging may be used to find a breast mass.  A small incision is made in the skin.  A local anesthetic will be used to numb the site.
Before the biopsy, a guide wire may be placed to mark the breast mass.  Often the entire mass is removed.  This procedure usually takes about 30-45 minutes and may require stitches.

Open Surgical Biopsy removes a tissue sample through a skin incision.

Percutaneous Biopsies:
Fine Needle Aspiration is done in the doctor’s office.  A very thin needle is used to remove fluid of a sample of skin cells.

Stereotactic Biopsy:
A Stereotactic breast biopsy is a test that uses a special computer to guide a needle to an abnormality seen on mammography. A large percentage of these abnormalities are benign and present no health risks. This biopsy is a non-invasive, accurate way to obtain the tissue sample required for diagnosis. The procedure requires little recovery time and there is no significant scarring to the breast.

Vacuum-assisted Biopsy uses a special probe to collect tissue samples.  Guided imaging may be used to find a breast mass.

If You Need Wire Localization
A lump that cannot be felt may be hard to locate.  In such cases, one or more guide wires may be placed in your breast before biopsy surgery.  These thin wires help mark the tissue that is to be removed.  A mammogram or ultrasound is used to direct the wire’s placement.  Then you are taken to the operating room for surgery.  The wire is then removed during the biopsy.

In office ultrasounds available for immediate diagnosis.