What is a breast biopsy?
Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous.
A breast biopsy is performed to remove a sample of some cells—either surgically or through a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle—from a suspicious area in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. Image-guided needle biopsy is not designed to remove the entire lesion, but sometimes a very small lesion may be removed in the process of the biopsy.
Image-guided biopsy is performed when the abnormal area in the breast is too small to be felt, making it difficult to locate the lesion by hand (called palpation). At Bay Imaging Consultants, we perform two types of breast biopsy: Stereotactic and MR-guided.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
A stereotactic Breast Biopsy is performed when a mass cannot be felt. The biopsy is performed to determine if the area is benign or malignant. You are placed into a special mammography machine used to locate and guide the radiologist to a suspicious area. Local anesthetic is used to minimize your discomfort.
Preparation for Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Preparation for a biopsy consists of listing all your medications or herbal remedies. If you are allergic to local anesthetic, please inform the radiologist or technologist.
Procedure Time
The length of the exam is usually 30-60 minutes
Biopsy Results
After your biopsy, the sample will be sent to a lab for microscopic evaluation. A report of the findings will be sent to your doctor.
MRI-Guided Biopsy
When an MRI of the breast indicates an area in question, and mammograms and ultrasound do not provide all the information the doctor needs, then an MR-guided breast biopsy is recommended.
During the procedure, you will lie on the MRI table just as if you are having an MRI of the breast. The MRI table has been designed to provide a slight compression and access to the breast in question from either side. After the MRI is repeated the biopsy is calculated as to the location and depth. Local anesthetic is given, and a special biopsy needle is inserted into the breast. Then we rescan to make sure the placement of the breast is correct prior to the biopsy. After the breast biopsy is completed a small metal clip is inserted to localize the area for a breast ultrasound and mammogram. An additional mammogram is performed to confirm the clip placement.
Preparation For MRI-Guided Biopsy
Preparation for a biopsy consists of listing all your medications or herbal remedies. If you are allergic to local anesthetic, please inform the radiologist or technologist.
Exam Time
The length of the MR-guided biopsy is usually 60 to 90 minutes.
Exam Results
After your biopsy, the sample will be sent to a lab for microscopic evaluation. A report of the findings will be sent to your doctor.