Your doctor has recommended that you have a breast biopsy. An abnormality has been identified in your breast and we must determine if it is malignant (cancer). Only a biopsy will be done at this time. Remember, most breast biopsies are benign.
Breast biopsies are performed as an outpatient, so you will not require an overnight stay in the hospital. There are many different types of breast biopsies that can be performed. Needle biopsies can be performed in the office. Sometimes, ultrasound is used to guide the needle. Smaller growths require a trip to the hospital for a successful breast biopsy.
Wire localization breast biopsy requires the placement of a small needle into your breast by the radiologist under local anesthesia to mark the growth. This will be done in the x-ray department. You are then taken to the operating room for removal of the growth under anesthesia by your surgeon. Stereotactic breast biopsy is less invasive and involves using a specialized mammogram machine to guide the biopsy. Both the radiologist and your surgeon will be present and will work as a team in the x-ray department to perform your breast biopsy. A smaller incision is made under local anesthesia and your recovery will be much shorter.
Remember, most breast biopsies are benign. If this is the case, your doctor will recommend close follow-up. Current recommendations from the American Cancer Society are:
Baseline mammogram at age 40, then every 1-2 years until 50, then yearly
after age 50.
Monthly self breast exams.
Yearly breast exams by your physician.
Your procedure must be scheduled at the hospital with Radiology if you are to have a stereotactic breast biopsy. We will schedule the procedure with Surgery if you are to have a wire localization breast biopsy. The schedule is very busy and we have little control over the exact time of your procedure. You will be made comfortable while you wait and your procedure will be done as soon as possible. Someone from the hospital will call you the day before to verify your arrival time.
You may experience bruising or swelling with the biopsy. This is quite common and should resolve on its own. Risks of the breast biopsy are rare but include bleeding, infection, and risks of the anesthesia.