A breast biopsy obtains breast tissue from the abnormal area of the breast.

Sometimes biopsies are done open or surgically. This involves going to the operating room and removing the abnormality through an incision. Usually local anesthesia with sedation is used. Patients typically return to normal activities within a day or two.

Most of the time a biopsy can be done at the Breast Center with a needle.

A Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is a test using a very thin needle and gentle suction to remove fluid or tissue (a few cells for cytology) from an area in the breast. This is most often used for fluid filled cysts.

Core Biopsy uses a larger needle and removes a small amount of tissue. This method has been largely replaced with

Vacuum Assisted / Rotational Cutting biopsy which obtains a larger piece of tissue for the pathologist to examine.

PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE:

If you take aspirin or aspirin products, blood thinners, herbal supplements or more than 400 units of Vitamin E daily, please discontinue them one week prior to your procedure. If needed, you may take Tylenol or ES Tylenol within that week. Regular medications should be taken as prescribed.

Do not fast prior to the procedure; it is recommended that you have a light snack or meal before the biopsy.

Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing which buttons or zips down the front and a snug bra. If you have a sports bra you may wear that (no demi-bra).

These biopsies can be done with

Palpation guidance when the lesion is palpated but not seen on any imaging

Stereotactic breast biopsy is a technique for obtaining a sample of tissue from an area of the breast identified on a mammogram. It utilizes digital x-ray images to direct a computer-guided biopsy device to the site of the lesion. It is performed under local anesthesia. This procedure is a technique that is accurate and reliable while at the same time minimally traumatic.

Ultrasound Guided biopsies can utilize Fine needles or a V.A.R.C. device. An ultrasound breast biopsy obtains a small sample of tissue, identified by an ultrasound, from the abnormal area of the breast. It utilizes an ultrasound image to direct a biopsy device to the site of the abnormality. This is performed under a local anesthesia and requires no special preparation.

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

You will lie on an exam table on your back or slightly rolled onto your side. The doctor will perform the ultrasound imaging and locate the area of interest in your breast. The skin will be cleaned and anesthetized (made numb) just prior to the biopsy. You will be asked to lie very still throughout the procedure. The biopsy device will be placed in your breast and a small amount of breast tissue will be removed. You will hear some noises as the biopsy samples are taken. A small marking clip will be placed in your breast to mark the area that was biopsied. The breast tissue samples are sent to a pathologist for diagnosis. During the procedure you will be informed about what we are doing and what you need to do to assist with the procedure.

MRI guidance is necessary for biopsies of lesions seen only with MRI. These are currently done by radiologists at MRI facilities.

RISKS OF THE PROCEDURE:

There may be slight bruising around the biopsy site for several days, but significant bleeding is rare. Anytime a needle is introduced into the breast, an infection is also possible, but rarely seen. There is also a slight risk of the procedure needing to be repeated or a surgical biopsy required if the sampling of tissue is not adequate for an absolute diagnosis.

EXPECTED RESULT:
The results are available in two to three working days, or longer, depending on your insurance carrier. A definitive diagnosis is reached in up to 95% of cases.. The remaining 5% of cases would require either a repeat needle biopsy or a needle localization and open biopsy. Follow-up imaging (mammogram, Ultrasound, or MRI) in four to six months is recommended in most cases. Typically patients return to normal activities that day or the following day.