What breast biopsy types are used?
We use mammography, ultrasound and MRI to target abnormal tissue and collect samples from the breast. The type of biopsy we use depends on factors including the location, appearance, and size of the abnormal tissue. It also depends on individual patient needs and abilities. Our breast cancer team always performs the least invasive procedure possible that is best for the patient.
During this minimally invasive procedure, the radiologist uses a hollow needle to remove a small amount of tissue. After numbing the breast with local anesthesia, we insert the biopsy needle into the suspicious area. To locate the mass, we may guide the CNB with advanced imaging, including:
- Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create images of the breast
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which creates images of breast tissue using a magnet and radio waves
- Mammography, which uses X-rays to create images of the breast
Typically, the doctor will place a small marker (also called a clip) into the biopsy target area. The clip marks the location for future imaging and procedures. You'll require no stitches after a CNB and can return to normal activity in a day or two. You can eat and drink before the procedure. You can drive yourself to the procedure.
Depending on the imaging appearance and your signs or symptoms, we may perform a fine needle aspiration instead of a core needle biopsy. We may use FNA to sample cysts or enlarged lymph nodes.
During this minimally invasive procedure, we inject local anesthetic and then use a thin needle and syringe to collect fluid or cells from the suspicious area. The needle is the same size as the needle used to draw blood. You can eat or drink before the procedure. You can drive and return to work immediately afterwards.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is surgical procedure performed in the operating room by a surgeon under general anesthesia. It is typically performed after a breast cancer diagnosis is confirmed. For invasive breast cancers, like invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma, we use this type of biopsy to check for the spread of cancer. This information helps us with breast cancer staging.
Our surgeon identifies the sentinel lymph nodes using dye or a radioactive substance. and removes them to examine for cancer cells. If we find cancer cells in a sentinel lymph node, specialized techniques will be used to treat it.
We perform a surgical biopsy to remove more tissue than can be removed with a needle. Our surgeons perform excisional and incisional biopsies in a hospital operating room. After we numb the area with local anesthesia, we make an incision and remove abnormal tissue using the least invasive techniques possible. These procedures may leave a scar and will require more recovery time than nonsurgical biopsy methods.
Our surgeons perform two distinct types of surgical biopsies:
- Excisional biopsy: We remove the whole abnormal area and some surrounding tissue, similar to a lumpectomy.
- Incisional biopsy: We remove only part of the abnormality. This type of biopsy is not as common as an excisional biopsy.
To help locate the precise area for the surgeon to remove during the biopsy, we may mark the spot with a specialized device. The surgeon can use state-of-the-art technology to find the device in the operating room. The breast radiologist uses local anesthetic and techniques similar to biopsy, to target and place the device days to weeks prior to the operation.