Breast Biopsy, Stereotactic Biopsy, Ultrasound or MRI Guided Biopsy, and Breast Cyst Aspiration

Mammography is an excellent way to detect breast abnormalities. In many cases it is not possible to tell from the imaging studies alone whether a growth is benign or cancerous and a biopsy may be recommended.

A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for analysis under a microscope by a pathologist. Doctors can then determine whether the calcifications or mass are benign or malignant.

At our facility we perform the following type of breast biopsies:

A stereotactic biopsy may be recommended if the area of concern found on your diagnostic mammogram is best visualized mammographically. Most stereotactic biopsies are performed on tiny calcium deposits.

Our physicians use this technique to take several small tissue pieces from the suspicious area. The tissue pieces are sent to a pathologist for evaluation.

Using this technique, women can get a diagnosis without having to have surgery.

How is this procedure performed?

You will be placed prone on a special biopsy table. Using computer-assistance and digital imaging, the abnormal area within the breast can be targeted. Local anesthetic is injected to be sure that you will feel no discomfort during the procedure. A very small nick is made in the skin at the site where the biopsy needle is inserted. Once the precise position is located, the radiologist is able to obtain small tissue pieces with a specially designed needle. The tissue pieces are sent to the pathologist for evaluation.

An ultrasound-guided biopsy may be recommended if the area of concern found on your mammogram and/or ultrasound exam, is best targeted using ultrasound guidance. Most ultrasound guided biopsies are performed on solid masses.

Our radiologists use this technique to take small tissue pieces from the suspicious area. The tissue pieces are sent to a pathologist for evaluation.

Using this technique, women can get a diagnosis without having to have surgery.

How is the procedure performed?

You will be placed either on your back or turned slightly to the side while the ultrasound probe is used to locate the abnormal tissue. Local anesthetic is injected to be sure that you will feel no discomfort during the procedure. A very small nick is made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted. A radiologist will constantly monitor the suspicious mass with ultrasound and guide the biopsy needle directly into the mass and obtain several tissue pieces. The tissue pieces are sent to the pathologist for evaluation.

An MRI guided biopsy may be recommended of an area of abnormal enhancement is seen on an MRI examination and but no abnormality can be found on mammography or ultrasound in that area.

Our radiologists use this technique to take small tissue pieces from the suspicious area. The tissue pieces are sent to a pathologist for evaluation.

Using this technique, women can get a diagnosis without having to have surgery.

How is the procedure performed?

You will be placed prone in the MRI scanner. Your breast will be positioned in the specially-designed breast MRI coil. Using a plastic grid and computer assistance, the abnormal area within the breast can be targeted. Local anesthetic is injected to be sure that you will feel no discomfort during the procedure. A very small nick is made in the skin at the site where the biopsy needle is inserted. Once the precise position within the breast is localized, the radiologists is able to obtain small tissue pieces with a specially designed needle. The tissue pieces are sent to the pathologist for evaluation.

If the ultrasound shows that the breast cyst is a “simple cyst” it can be safely watched. No immediate action is necessary.

Many cysts will resolve if left alone. Cysts are not precancerous, do not turn into cancer, and do not put women at higher risk for breast cancer.

Simple cysts are not usually aspirated or “drained” unless they are very large in size, or are painful. Cysts that are not considered “simple” cysts by ultrasound usually need drainage or biopsy.

How is it performed?

You will be placed either on your back or turned slightly to the side while the ultrasound probe is used to locate the cyst. A local anesthetic is injected to be sure that you will feel no discomfort during the procedure. The radiologist will constantly monitor the cyst with ultrasound and guide a small needle directly into the cyst and remove fluid.

Will the fluid be sent to a lab for evaluation?

Normal breast cyst fluid can be yellow, green, or gray. Studies show that analysis of breast cyst fluid is of no value unless the fluid is bloody. If your breast cyst fluid shows signs of blood, then it should be sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

• What is a nonsurgical breast biopsy?
• How is it different from a surgical biopsy?
• Will I have to modify my activities?
• Will I have a scar?
• When will I get the results?
• What is ultrasound-guided breast biopsy?
• What will I experience during the biopsy?
• What is a stereotactic biopsy?
• What is an MRI biopsy?