Breast Biopsy

A mammogram cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancer.  If a mammogram raises a significant suspicion of cancer, tissue must be removed for examination under the microscope to tell if it is cancer. This can be done with a minimally invasive needle biopsy in the convenience of our outpatient office. Our breast biopsy system offers a one minute biopsy with reduced pain and anxiety, no scarring or post-operative recovery time, and quality samples to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy

Needle biopsy is a minimally invasive form of breast biopsy in which a small needle is used, under local anesthesia, to withdraw a sample of tissue from a lump within the breast. If the lump is a cyst (fluid-filled sac), removal of the fluid will cause the cyst to collapse and no further sampling is required. The fluid and tissue samples are sent to a pathologist for analysis. Guidance for this procedure is provided by sonography so that the path of the biopsy needle can be seen throughout the procedure. This direct visualization makes this a safe and quick process.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic breast biopsies provide accuracy within 1 millimeter, at one-third the cost of conventional surgical biopsies. Stereotactic procedures require specifically designed equipment and a team of physicians and technologists who have received highly specialized training. Patients have no scarring and avoid the risks of anesthesia. During biopsy, the patient lies prone with the breast suspended through an opening in the table and compressed by a windowed plate. Sophisticated computer imaging equipment takes the first X-ray to locate the suspected breast abnormality then obtains two “stereo” views, angled on either side of the initial image. The computer determines how the lesion appears in this three-dimensional space, allowing the physician to electronically mark the lesion’s precise location. A small electric motor advances the machine’s biopsy needle to the exact coordinates identified on X-ray. The breast is locally anesthetized and several small tissue samples are taken for evaluation.