Breast Biopsies: The Different Types and Their Procedures

If the results of your latest mammogram show an abnormal result, your primary doctor will want a follow up testing to learn the cause of the abnormal result. In some cases, the abnormal result can be a false positive for signs of cancer and the additional testing can determine if there is or is not a need for a biopsy. The typical reasons for a biopsy are: if there is an abnormal change in the shape of your breasts, you have discovered a lump, you have unexplained discharge or bleeding from your nipples, or there is the possibility of a tumor in the breast area. While the majority of biopsies are benign, the survival rate for early detection of breast cancer is high.

When you are scheduling your breast biopsy, your Glendora General Surgeon will discuss the types of biopsies available and which one would be most appropriate for your individual situation. You will be instructed on how to prepare for the procedure, if your biopsy will be performed as an outpatient or in hospital procedure, how to care for the biopsy area after the procedure, when to expect the results of the biopsy, and when to schedule any required follow up medical appointment.

Types of Breast Biopsies

Fine Needle Biopsy:

A fine needle biopsy is only performed on palpable masses, lumps, which can be felt. The procedure can be performed in the surgeon’s office or in an outpatient clinic. Before the biopsy, your surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. A fine, thin needle is inserted into the biopsy area and a small sample of tissue cells is removed for analysis. The process can be completed in less than 20 minutes. A bandage will be placed over the incision site.

Core Needle Biopsy:

A core needle biopsy is performed on palpable masses, lumps, and on non-palpable areas that can only be seen on imaging tests. For palpable masses, the process can be done in the surgeon’s office. For non-palpable masses, the process is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic. Before the biopsy, your surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the breast and surrounding area. Your surgeon will make a small incision and insert a hollow needle in the biopsy area to remove sample tissues to be analyzed by a pathologist. The process can be completed in less than an hour. A bandage will be placed over the incision site.

Surgical Biopsy:

There are two types of surgical breast biopsies: incisional and excisional. An incisional biopsy removes only a portion of the tumor and is rarely performed today. Nearly all surgical breast biopsies are excisional, where the entire abnormal area and some of the normal adjoining tissue are removed. The procedure is performed as follows:

The biopsy is performed in an operating room with a medical team that involves your surgeon and a radiologist. Before the surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic that will numb the area to be biopsied. You will also be given a sedative through an IV. The radiologist will use a medical imaging machine that will guide a thin wire into the biopsy area. Your surgeon will make an incision in the breast area where the wire was inserted to remove the abnormal tissue that will then be matched with the suspicious area identified on a previous breast test. If the two areas are the same, then the surgeon knows that the correct tissue was removed. If the areas are not the same, your surgeon will need to remove additional tissue until all of the correct tissue is removed. After the biopsy, the incision will be closed with stitches and you will remain in a recovery area for observation before being allowed to leave or moved to a hospital room for an overnight stay.

Breast Biopsies: The Different Types and Their Procedures

Types of Breast Biopsies

Fine Needle Biopsy:

Core Needle Biopsy:

Surgical Biopsy:

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