Breast Biopsies
Breast Biopsy for Accurate Diagnosis
At Exeter Hospital's Center for Breast Health, we use advanced technology to perform a full range of breast biopsy procedures. Our radiologists work closely with your primary care provider and surgeon to help identify the most accurate and least invasive approach for you. Throughout the process, our team will guide you, answer your questions, and ensure you receive prompt, compassionate care with as little waiting time as possible.
A mammogram or ultrasound can show an irregular area, but it cannot confirm whether the area is cancerous. A breast biopsy removes cells or a small piece of tissue so a pathologist can examine it under a microscope. This is the only way to determine if an area is cancerous or benign (non-cancerous).
The good news is that most biopsies are normal — about 4 out of 5 show benign results.
There are several types of breast biopsy procedures, each designed for different situations. Your care team will recommend the option that provides the most accurate results while being as gentle and minimally invasive as possible.
Types of Breast Biopsy Procedures
This procedure is used when a suspicious area is found on a breast MRI exam. During the biopsy, you'll lie comfortably on a padded table, and MRI images guide the radiologist to the exact location of the abnormality. The doctor numbs the skin and tissue before using a small biopsy instrument to collect tissue samples.
An MRI-guided biopsy usually takes about an hour. There are no stitches, and most women are able to return to normal activities the same day. You may eat and drink as usual before and after the procedure. A doctor’s order is required for this test.
A surgical breast biopsy is performed in Exeter Hospital's Outpatient Care Center. Patients are typically given IV sedation along with a local anesthetic to numb the breast. You may have a few stitches after the procedure, and you will need someone to drive you home.
There are two types of surgical biopsies:
- Incisional Biopsy: Removal of part of the lump or abnormality.
- Excisional Biopsy: Removal of the entire lump or abnormality.
Also called a vacuum-assisted biopsy, this procedure is often used when a suspicious area is found on a mammogram — most commonly tiny calcium deposits called microcalcifications. It may also be used in some cases after an ultrasound.
During the biopsy, a computer helps the radiologist pinpoint the exact location of the abnormality and guide the biopsy instrument to collect tissue samples. You'll lie on your abdomen for the procedure, and the doctor will numb the skin and tissue around the area.
A stereotactic breast biopsy usually takes less than an hour. There are no stitches, and most women are able to return to normal activities the same day. You may eat and drink as usual before and after the biopsy. A doctor’s order is required for this test.
Also called a core needle biopsy, this procedure is used when a suspicious area is found on an ultrasound. Ultrasound images help the doctor guide a needle directly into the area of concern.
Before the biopsy, the doctor numbs the skin and breast tissue around the abnormality. A small needle is then used to remove several tiny samples of tissue for examination.
An ultrasound-guided biopsy usually takes less than an hour. There are no stitches, and most women are able to return to normal activities the same day. You may eat and drink as usual before and after the biopsy. A doctor’s order is required for this test.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is often used for breast lumps that can be easily felt. Ultrasound helps the doctor guide a very thin needle directly into the area of concern. Before the procedure, the doctor numbs the skin and breast tissue around the lump. A small sample of fluid or cells is then removed for testing.
An FNA usually takes less than an hour. There are no stitches, and most women are able to return to normal activities the same day. You may eat and drink as usual before and after the procedure. A doctor’s order is required for this test.
There are two main uses for ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration:
- To drain fluid from a cyst: The doctor removes fluid from the lump and examines it to see if further testing is needed. If it is a cyst, draining the fluid often makes the lump go away, and it often does not return.
- To remove cells from a solid area: A few cells are collected with a syringe and examined by a pathologist. In some cases, the sample may not include enough cells to confirm if the abnormality is cancerous or benign. If that happens, another type of biopsy may be needed.
Also called a needle localization biopsy, this procedure is often the first step before an open surgical biopsy. It is performed by a radiologist at Exeter Hospital's Center for Breast Health.
The skin and tissue around the abnormality are numbed with a local anesthetic. Using mammography, ultrasound, or MRI, the radiologist guides a thin wire into the exact area of concern. A small portion of the wire remains outside the breast and is covered with a protective cap.
You are then transferred to Exeter Hospital's Outpatient Surgical Center, where your surgeon uses the wire to precisely locate and remove the abnormal tissue, along with the wire.
