Breast Needle Biopsy Overview

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Breast needle biopsy is the removal of a sample of breast tissue using a needle. The sample is examined in a lab.

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

• Physical exam, especially a breast exam
• Blood tests
• Mammogram and/or breast ultrasound

Leading up to the biopsy:

• Talk to your doctor about your current medicines. Certain medicines may need to be stopped before the procedure, such as:

• Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs for up to one week before surgery
• Blood-thinning drugs, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin)
• The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight if you are having general anesthesia.
• Shower the morning of the biopsy. You may be asked to use a special antibacterial soap.

Anesthesia

This depends on the type of biopsy that you are having, for example:

• Local anesthesia—Only the area that is being operated on is numbed.
• General anesthesia —Blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the biopsy; given through an IV (needle in your vein) in your hand or arm.

Description of the Procedure

There are different breast needle biopsy techniques that your doctor can use to remove the tissue sample:

Needle Aspiration

The skin over the area will be cleaned. The doctor may inject a local anesthetic. Next, the biopsy needle will be inserted into the breast tissue. Fluid and/or tissue will be removed. The needle may be removed and re-inserted several times. This will be done to get samples from different locations. After this is done, the doctor will apply pressure to the area and cover the spot with a bandage.

Needle Aspiration © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Stereotactic Biopsy

Large Core Needle Biopsy or Vacuum-assisted Device Biopsy

You will be given sedation. You will also be given either general or local anesthesia. The doctor will have you lie on your stomach on a special table. The table will have an opening for your breast. X-ray images will be taken from different angles to locate the mass.

If you will have a large core needle biopsy, the doctor will insert a wire into the mass. A large needle used to remove the tissue will be threaded over this wire. A cylinder of breast tissue will be removed. If more samples are needed, the doctor may need to insert the wire and needle again to obtain them.

If you are having a vacuum-assisted device biopsy, the doctor will use pressure from a vacuum to pull tissue from the mass through a needle and into a sampling chamber. This allows the doctor to collect multiple tissue samples during one needle insertion.

How Long Will It Take?

1-3 hours

Will It Hurt?

There will be slight pain in your breast after the biopsy. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine.

Post-procedure Care

At Home

When you return home after the procedure, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• Take pain medicine as directed by your doctor.
• To relieve discomfort, apply a warm compress or a heating pad to the area.
• Wear a supportive bra.
• Ask your doctor when you should change the bandages.
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions .

It will take about 2-5 days to receive your test results.

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/

Breastcancer.org
http://www.breastcancer.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.cbcf.org/

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/

References:

Biopsy. The Breastcancer.org website. Available at: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/biopsy.jsp . Accessed February 19, 2008.

Pfenninger JL, Fowler GC. Procedures for Primary Care Physicians. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book; 1994.

Sabiston DC, Lyerly HK. Textbook of Surgery. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co.; 1997.