An overview of Breast Biopsy
A breast biopsy is a medical procedure in which a sample of breast tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to determine whether the tissue is cancerous or not. This test is typically performed if there is a suspicious area in the breast, such as a lump or other signs of breast cancer, or if unusual findings are detected on a mammogram, ultrasound, or other breast exam. The results of a breast biopsy can help doctors to diagnose breast cancer, determine the extent of cancer, and plan appropriate treatment. Breast biopsies can be performed using different techniques, such as fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, or open surgical biopsy.
What is Breast Biopsy used for?
A breast biopsy is used to remove a sample of breast tissue for testing, in order to diagnose any abnormalities or potential breast cancer. It may be recommended if a lump or other suspicious areas are detected during a breast exam, mammogram, or ultrasound. The results of the breast biopsy can determine whether the area is cancerous or not and guide further treatment decisions.
How to prepare for Breast Biopsy?
Before a breast biopsy, you should inform your doctor if you have any allergies, have taken aspirin in the last seven days, are taking blood-thinning medications, or are not able to lie on your stomach for an extended period. If the breast biopsy will be done using an MRI, you should also let your doctor know if you have a cardiac pacemaker or other electronic device implanted in your body, or if you're pregnant or think you may be pregnant, as an MRI generally isn't recommended in these situations.
How is Breast Biopsy conducted?
A breast biopsy is conducted by removing a sample of breast tissue for testing. There are different types of breast biopsy procedures, including fine-needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, and stereotactic biopsy. The choice of procedure depends on the location and nature of the breast mass. In some cases, imaging techniques like ultrasound or mammogram may be used to guide the biopsy procedure. The tissue sample is then sent to a lab for analysis by pathologists.
How are Breast Biopsy results reported?
The pathologist prepares a pathology report that is sent to your doctor, who will share the results with you. The pathology report includes details about the size and consistency of the tissue samples and the location of the biopsy site. The report describes whether cancer, noncancerous changes, or precancerous cells were present.
Understanding the report
The results of a breast biopsy are interpreted by a pathologist who specializes in analyzing blood and body tissue. The pathologist examines the tissue sample using a microscope and provides a diagnosis based on the presence or absence of cancer, noncancerous changes, or precancerous cells. The pathology report includes details about the size and consistency of the tissue samples, the location of the biopsy site, and a description of whether cancer or noncancerous changes were present. This report is sent to the doctor who can then share the results with the patient. If there is a discrepancy between the radiologist's and pathologist's findings, additional surgery may be necessary to obtain more tissue for further evaluation.
Limitations and Considerations
One of the main limitations of a breast biopsy is that it can only provide information about the specific area of breast tissue that was biopsied. It may not be able to detect cancerous cells in other areas of the breast or the entire breast. Additionally, some types of breast cancer may not be detected by a breast biopsy, particularly if they are small or located deep within the breast tissue. Therefore, it is important to discuss the results of a breast biopsy with your doctor and follow their recommendations for further testing or treatment.