Breast Biopsy
Turnersville and Voorhees
About your Breast Biopsy
If the idea of a breast biopsy has you feeling unsure or concerned, it’s only natural. What’s important to keep in mind is, that for four out of every five women, the results of a biopsy are good news: 80% of all breast biopsies detect no cance.
Biopsies are necessary because when a mammogram or physical examination suggests a potential problem, they are the most effective technique for discovering if a cancer exists-or for ruling out the possibility.
A biopsy is used to provide a sample of breast tissue that a pathologist can examine for cancerous or non-cancerous (benign) cells.
The results are sent to your referring physician.
Types of Biopsies
There are a number of techniques for performing a biopsy and they all begin the same way. First, all clothing above the waist is removed (don’t worry, you’ll have a cloth or paper gown to cover your shoulders). You’ll then be asked to lie down on an examination table. Your hands may be at your sides or raised above your head. The doctor will then numb your skin where the biopsy needle is to be inserted. Your will be asked to lie still until the procedure is completed.
Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy
A thin needle is inserted into the numb breast tissue. Ultrasound may be used to guide the placement of the needle. If the lump is a cyst, the needle will extract fluid and tissue samples. If the lump is solid, a sample of tissue is taken. The biopsy sample is sent for analysis. The needle is then removed, and a bandage applied. This procedure takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
Core-Needle Biopsy
Once the area is numb, a small cut is made. A needle with a special tip is put into the breast tissue. Ultrasound may be used to guide the placement of the needle. A sample of tissue about the size of a pencil lead will be removed and send for analysis.
The needle is then removed, and a bandage applied. A core needle biopsy takes about 15 minutes.
MRI-Guided Biopsy
This procedure uses MRI images to precisely target the biopsy site. You will lie on your stomach with your breasts compressed and given an intravenous contrast agent to help make the MRI images as clear as possible.
Once the area is numb, a small cut is made in the skin. Usually, more than one sample is taken through the same cut.
A bandage is applied to the small cut. MRI-guided breast biopsies usually take about 60 minutes, with most of the time needed for imaging to target the area for the biopsy.
Wound Care Following the Procedure
Following the biopsy, the nurse or technologist will hold pressure at the puncture site to assure that bleeding has stopped. A dressing will be applied and you may be instructed to wear sports bra or similar tight-fitting garment. This will provide support to minimize post-procedure discomfort.
Ice will help to minimize potential swelling and discomfort. Apply ice packs for 20 minutes on then 20 minutes off for 4 hours following the procedure. You may repeat this if discomfort or swelling continues and if you experience discomfort you may Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 325mg tablets. Take 1 or 2 tablets 4-6 hours as needed for pain. (Do not exceed 12 tablets per day.)
You may shower as usual in the morning (no bathing or soaking). If Steri-Strips were applied, allow them to fall off by themselves or after 3 days you may remove them.
You should contact your referring physician if you experience any excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, redness, or heat in the area of the biopsy or breast. After receiving the pathology report, your physician will discuss the results with you.
Biopsy Glossary of Terms
- Abscess: A closed pocket containing pus most commonly caused by a bacterial infection.
- Atypical: Literally, “not typical.” Exhibits unusual characteristics.
- Benign: Non-cancerous
- Calcifications: Tiny calcium deposits.
- Carcinoma: Any cancerous tumor.
- Dysplasia: An atypical increase in the number of cells.
- Hyperplasia: Increase in the number of breast cells.
- Inflammation: Clinical signs are breast swelling, pain, tenderness, redness, and/or heat.
- In situ: Literally “in place.” The cancer has not invaded surrounding tissues or spread to distant organs.
- Lesion: Term used to describe a tumor, area of inflammation, or other breast abnormality.
- Malignant: Canerous.
- Metastatic: Term used to describe cancer that ahs spread from its original site to other body organs.
- Necrosis: Fat necrosis is a benign breast condition. However, necrosis usually indicates that a tumor is very aggressive and can spread quickly.
- Neoplasm or Neoplasia: An uncontrollable growth of the body’s own cells.
- Tumor: A mass of tissue or lump.
