Biopsy

A breast biopsy is the removal of a sample of breast tissue to be examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. A breast biopsy is usually done to evaluate a lump found during a breast examination or to study a suspicious area found on a mammogram or ultrasound.

There are several ways to do a breast biopsy:

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is done by inserting a thin needle into the suspicious lump and removing cells that are then examined under a microscope.
• Core needle biopsy is done by using a large needle fitted with a special cutting tip. As the needle goes through the skin toward the lump (or suspicious area found during a mammogram or breast ultrasound), it collects a core of tissue about the size of a pencil lead.
• Stereotactic biopsy, or mammotome biopsy, is done to evaluate a lump that cannot be felt on breast examination but is seen on mammogram or ultrasound. It is done using a special type of X-ray instrument that can precisely locate the area of the breast from which the biopsy sample is to be taken. A small incision is then made in the skin of the breast and a needle is guided by the instrument to the exact biopsy site to collect a tissue sample. Stereotactic biopsy may not be appropriate for all types of breast lumps.
• Open biopsy is done by making an incision in the skin and removing a sample of the suspicious lump, or the entire lump. If the lump contains cancer cells, all or part of the breast can be removed immediately (however, this is not commonly done).

Click here for more information on breast biopsy.