A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. Several different types of biopsy may be done. This article discusses sterotactic breast biopsy. A stereotactic breast biopsy uses mammography to help pinpoint the spot in the breast that needs to be removed.
See also:
Alternative NamesBiopsy - breast - stereotactic; Core needle breast biopsy - stereotactic; Stereotactic breast biopsy
How the test is performedYou will be asked to undress from the waist up.
You will most likely be asked to lie facing down on the biopsy table. The breast that is being biopsied will hang through an opening in the table. The table is raised and the doctor will perform the biopsy from underneath. In some cases, stereotactic breast biopsy is done while the woman sits in an upright position.
A stereotactic biopsy includes the following steps:
The biopsy itself is done using a fine needle aspiration, a hollow needle (called a core needle), a vacuum-powered device, or both a needle and vacuum-powered device.
The procedure usually takes about 1 hour, including the time it takes for the x-rays. The actual biopsy only takes several minutes.
After the tissue sample has been taken, the catheter or needle is removed. Ice and pressure are applied to the site to stop any bleeding. A bandage will be applied to absorb any fluid. You will not need stitches after the needle is taken out. Steristrips may be placed over any wound, if needed.
How to prepare for the testThe health care provider will ask questions about your medical history and perform a manual breast exam.
You must sign an informed consent form. If you are going to have general anesthesia, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 8 - 12 hours before the test.
If you take medications (including aspirin or herbal medications), ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking these before the biopsy.
Tell your doctor if you may be pregnant before having an open biopsy.
Do not wear lotion, perfume, powder, or deodorant underneath your arms or on your breasts.
How the test will feelYou may feel a sharp, stinging sensation when the local anesthetic is injected. During the procedure, you may feel slight discomfort or light pressure.
Lying on your stomach for up to 1 hour may be uncomfortable. Using cushions or pillows may help. Some patients are given a pill to help relax them before the procedure.
After the test, the breast may be sore and tender to the touch for several days. Do not do any heavy lifting or work with your arms for 24 hours after the biopsy. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief.
Why the test is performedThis test may be done if your doctor suspects cancer due to abnormal findings on a mammogram or ultrasound of the breast, or during a physical exam.
To identify whether someone has Breast cancer, a biopsy must be done. Tissue and fluid from the abnormal area are removed and examined underneath a microscope.
Stereotactic breast biopsy is often used when a small growth or calcifications are seen on a mammogram, but cannot be seen using an ultrasound of the breast.
Normal ValuesA normal result means there is no sign of cancer.
Your doctor or nurse will let you know when you need a follow-up mammogram or other tests.
What abnormal results meanA biopsy can identify a number of breast conditions that are not cancer or precancer, including:
Biopsy results may show precancerous breast conditions, including:
Two main types of breast cancer may be found:
Depending on the results of the biopsy, you may need further surgery or treatment.
What the risks areThere is a slight chance of infection at the injection or surgical cut site.
Excessive bleeding is rare, but may require draining or re-bandaging. Bruising is common.
ReferencesAbeloff MD, Wolff AC, Weber BL, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 95.
Kim CH, Bassett LW. Imaging-guided core needle biopsy of the breast. In: Bassett LW, Jackson VP, Fu KL, Fu YS. Diagnosis of Diseases of the Breast. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 17.
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. Several different types of biopsy may be done. This article discusses stereotactic breast biopsy. A stereotactic breast biopsy uses mammography to help pinpoint the spot in the breast that needs to be removed.
See also:
Alternative NamesBiopsy - breast - stereotactic; Core needle breast biopsy - stereotactic; Stereotactic breast biopsy
How the test is performedYou will be asked to undress from the waist up.
You will most likely be asked to lie facing down on the biopsy table. The breast that is being biopsied will hang through an opening in the table. The table is raised and the doctor will perform the biopsy from underneath. In some cases, stereotactic breast biopsy is done while the woman sits in an upright position.
A stereotactic biopsy includes the following steps:
The biopsy itself is done using one of the following:
The procedure usually takes about 1 hour, including the time it takes for the x-rays. The actual biopsy only takes several minutes.
After the tissue sample has been taken, the catheter or needle is removed. Ice and pressure are applied to the site to stop any bleeding. A bandage will be applied to absorb any fluid. You will not need stitches after the needle is taken out. Steristrips may be placed over any wound, if needed.
How to prepare for the testThe health care provider will ask questions about your medical history and perform a manual breast exam.
You must sign an informed consent form. If you are going to have general anesthesia, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 8 - 12 hours before the test.
If you take medications (including aspirin or herbal medications), ask your doctor whether you need to stop taking these before the biopsy.
Tell your doctor if you may be pregnant before having an open biopsy.
Do not wear lotion, perfume, powder, or deodorant underneath your arms or on your breasts.
How the test will feelYou may feel a sharp, stinging sensation when the local anesthetic is injected. During the procedure, you may feel slight discomfort or light pressure.
Lying on your stomach for up to 1 hour may be uncomfortable. Using cushions or pillows may help. Some patients are given a pill to help relax them before the procedure.
After the test, the breast may be sore and tender to the touch for several days. Do not do any heavy lifting or work with your arms for 24 hours after the biopsy. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain relief.
Why the test is performedThis test may be done if your doctor suspects cancer due to abnormal findings on a mammogram or ultrasound of the breast, or during a physical exam.
To identify whether someone has breast cancer, a biopsy must be done. Tissue and fluid from the abnormal area are removed and examined with a microscope.
Stereotactic breast biopsy is often used when a small growth or calcifications are seen on a mammogram, but cannot be seen using an ultrasound of the breast.
Normal ValuesA normal result means there is no sign of cancer.
Your doctor or nurse will let you know when you need a follow-up mammogram or other tests.
What abnormal results meanA biopsy can identify a number of breast conditions that are not cancer or precancer, including:
Biopsy results may show precancerous breast conditions, including:
Two main types of breast cancer may be found:
Depending on the results of the biopsy, you may need further surgery or treatment.
What the risks areThere is a slight chance of infection at the injection or surgical cut site.
Excessive bleeding is rare, but may require draining or re-bandaging. Bruising is common.
ReferencesAbeloff MD, Wolff AC, Weber BL, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 95.
Kim CH, Bassett LW. Imaging-guided core needle biopsy of the breast. In: Bassett LW, Jackson VP, Fu KL, Fu YS. Diagnosis of Diseases of the Breast. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005:chap 17.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/05/2011
Ken Levin, MD, private practice specializing in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Allentown, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A radiologist or surgeon does stereotactic needle biopsy.
Sadly that varies patient to patient. Depending on how big the hematoma is, it can take a week to several weeks to go away. If you have had a hematoma for more than 2 weeks post biopsy, or have redness, oozing at the biopsy site, see your physician immediately to be sure there is no infection.
A stereotactic breast biopsy is not particularly painful. It is less painful than a dental filling, and about as painful as an immunization, in most cases. The location of the mass being biopsied may affect your comfort level.
The use of a biopsy for the breast is to check for cancer. Women are at a very high risk for breast cancer and a biopsy is a way to prevent the cancer in an early stage.
Whether there are alternatives to breast biopsy depends on the patient's clinical situation. If you want to know with some certainty whether a mass is cancerous, breast biopsy is required. Talk with your health care provider for advice specific to your breast findings.
A needle breast biopsy is a minor outpatient procedure. Pain is usually well-controlled with acetaminophen and ice. Patient normally can drive themselves to and from the biopsy.
In my experience, I can't feel it with my fingers and definitely don't feel it in my day to day life.
Sentinel-node biopsy
needle biopsy, regular biopsy, mastectomy, lumpectomy,
19100
The cpt code for patient calling to schedule appointment for breast biopsy is 19100.
If less invasive tests are not conclusive, the presence of cancer or a variety of benign breast conditions can be determined by using a biopsy