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Breast needle biopsy is the removal of a sample of breast tissue using a needle. The sample is examined in a lab.
This is done to examine a suspicious area in the breast. It may be done if any of the following are found:
The biopsy can identify the area as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a needle breast biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
Your doctor may do the following:
Leading up to the biopsy:
This depends on the type of biopsy that you are having, for example:
There are different breast needle biopsy techniques that your doctor can use to remove the tissue sample:
The skin over the area will be cleaned. The doctor may inject a local anesthetic. Next, the biopsy needle will be inserted into the breast tissue. Fluid and/or tissue will be removed. The needle may be removed and re-inserted several times. This will be done to get samples from different locations. After this is done, the doctor will apply pressure to the area and cover the spot with a bandage.
You will be given sedation. You will also be given either general or local anesthesia. The doctor will have you lie on your stomach on a special table. The table will have an opening for your breast. X-ray images will be taken from different angles to locate the mass.
If you will have a large core needle biopsy , the doctor will insert a wire into the mass. A large needle used to remove the tissue will be threaded over this wire. A cylinder of breast tissue will be removed. If more samples are needed, the doctor may need to insert the wire and needle again to obtain them.
If you are having a vacuum-assisted device biopsy , the doctor will use pressure from a vacuum to pull tissue from the mass through a needle and into a sampling chamber. This allows the doctor to collect multiple tissue samples during one needle insertion.
1-3 hours
There will be slight pain in your breast after the biopsy. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine.
When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
It will take about 2-5 days to receive your test results.
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, call 911 immediately.
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.cbcf.org/
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
References:
Biopsy. The Breastcancer.org website. Available at: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/biopsy.jsp . Accessed February 19, 2008.
Pfenninger JL, Fowler GC. Procedures for Primary Care Physicians . St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book; 1994.
Sabiston DC, Lyerly HK. Textbook of Surgery . 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co.; 1997.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Mohei Abouzied, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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