A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue and/or a lump in the breast to determine whether cancer or other disorders are present. There are several methods used to obtain tissue samples from the breast. The one your doctor chooses may depend on the size of the abnormality and precisely where in the breast it is located.
Surgical Biopsy
During a surgical (open) biopsy, either a portion of or the entire breast mass in question may be removed for examination. When the whole mass or lump is taken out it is referred to as lumpectomy. A surgical biopsy is commonly performed under either local or general anesthesia.
Fine Needle & Core Needle Biopsies
A fine needle breast biopsy is the least complicated procedure and is typically used to examine a lump that can be felt during a clinical breast exam. The needle is connected to a syringe that can collect a sample of cells or fluid from the lump. This type of biopsy can quickly and easily distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass and can eliminate the need for a more invasive biopsy procedure.
A core needle biopsy is often used to study a breast lump that can be seen on a mammogram or ultrasound in addition to being felt in a clinical exam. The needle used in this procedure is not quite as thin as that used in a fine needle biopsy.
MRI or ultrasound imaging techniques may be used to help direct the placement of the needle.
Stereotactic Biopsy
A stereotactic biopsy uses mammograms to find the location of irregularities within the breast. During this procedure, you lie face down with one of your breasts firmly compressed between two plates in an opening on the biopsy table. A small incision is made into your breast with either a needle or a vacuum-powered probe and several samples of tissue are removed.
Recovering From a Biopsy
If you have had a surgical biopsy, you will be instructed on care for your stitches and keep the incision site dry during bathing until it has healed and the sutures are removed.
With all other core needle types of breast biopsies bandages will be placed over the irritated site. A non aspirin pain reliever should ease any soreness and discomfort. An ice pack may also be used to reduce any swelling.
Negative Biopsy Results
A pathologist will study breast tissue from the biopsy sample and will report on the size, color and consistency of the tissue sample and note whether any cancer cells were detected. If there was no sign of malignancy that means your results are benign or normal.
When Cancer is Detected
If the pathologist detects cancer in the tissue sample, his or her report will also include specific information about the type cancer that was detected and whether it is hormone receptor positive or negative.
Staging Tests
Once a diagnosis of breast cancer has been made, additional tests will be conducted to determine if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. This process will determine the stage of the cancer. The type and stage of breast cancer informs doctors as to what type of treatment will be needed.
Tags: breast biopsy, breast cancer, breast tissue, cancer cells, exam needle, fine needle
