 
A breast biopsy is a procedure in which samples of breast
tissue are removed with a special biopsy needle or during
surgery to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are
present. Biopsies may be performed under local or general
anesthesia. There are several types of breast biopsy procedures.
The type of biopsy performed will depend upon the location
and size of the lump or abnormality.
• Ultrasound Guided Biopsy – Small
samples of tissue are removed from the breast using a hollow
core needle with or without a vacuum-assisted device that
is precisely guided to the correct location using continuous
ultrasound imaging.
• Stereotactic Biopsy – A
special mammogram machine is used to guide a needle to
the location of abnormality in the breast.
Surgical biopsies include:
• Incisional biopsy – a
small part of the lump is removed and sent to pathology
for review under the microscope. This biopsy is mostly
done with local anesthesia.
• Excisional biopsy – the
entire lump or abnormal area is removed and also a surrounding
margin of normal-looking tissue which is sent to pathology
to review under the microscope. This biopsy is mostly done
with local anesthesia.
|
