:::: PROCEDURE : IMAGING GUIDED BIOPSY :.

If there are lingering concerns about an area of the breast after imaging evaluation, a biopsy may be recommended. A breast biopsy involves the removal of tissue cells or a small piece of breast tissue for microscopic examination by a pathologist to determine the presence of disease. BSE, CBE and mammography are important tools for detecting possible abnormalities; however, only microscopic examination of cells or tissue by a pathologist can determine with certainty, the presence or absence of cancer cells.

Tissue removed at the time of the needle biopsy is sent to the pathologist for processing and microscopic analysis. Results are usually available within 48 hours after the biopsy. Patients are asked to return to the Breast Center 48 hours after the biopsy so the radiologist can examine the biopsy site and discuss the pathology findings.

Fine Needle Biopsy

Most breast biopsies are performed today using a needle with a small amount of local anesthesia. Needle biopsies are most often performed by a specially trained radiologist using x-ray or ultrasound to guide the needle to the area of concern.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) involves the collection of cells using a small needle and syringe.

Needle biopsies can be performed at one-third to one-half the cost of surgical biopsies and are considered minimally invasive procedures that leave little or no sign of scaring. Needle biopsies obtain only small samples of tissue. If microscopic examination of the cells or tissue obtained with needle biopsy show non-cancerous or benign tissue, the patient is spared the necessity of having an incision and an open surgical procedure, which may require a general anesthetic. If cancer cells are found, surgical removal of the suspicious area is performed for the purpose of removing all the cancerous tissue.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy

In some cases it is not possible to tell from imaging studies alone whether a growth is benign or cancerous. Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a highly accurate way to evaluate suspicious masses within the breast that are visible on ultrasound, whether or not they can be felt on breast self-examination or clinical examination. After the injection of local anesthetic, ultrasound is used to guide a biopsy needle into the area of concern. Several tiny cores of tissue are removed and sent to the pathologist for microscopic examination.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic biopsies are performed most often for worrisome microcalcifications. Microcalcifications cannot be seen well enough with ultrasound, so stereotactic x-ray guidance is the biopsy technique of choice.  

The procedure, which is performed in the comfort of our imaging center by a radiologist with the assistance of a mammography technologist and a registered nurse, requires only local anesthesia. The breast is slightly compressed and held in position. Using x-ray mammography and computer coordinates, a needle is precisely guided to the specific area of concern and several small samples of tissue are removed from the breast.  Most women report little or no pain and no scarring afterward.

Imaging-guided Needle Breast Biopsy eliminates the need for general anesthetic risk, is significantly less costly, and allows the patient to return to her normal routine sooner (usually the following day) with little discomfort.

Most importantly, particularly from the woman’s viewpoint, is that Imaging-guided Needle Breast Biopsy is highly accurate, giving women and their physicians the answer that they need.