Early detection through self-examination and regular mammography is essential to detect breast cancer. When a lump or any suspicious changes are detected in the breast, a biopsy is necessary to determine if it is cancerous. Biopsies involve removing a small tissue sample from the breast, which is examined in a laboratory for abnormal cells. Different types of biopsies are available, and it is essential to understand each type before undergoing the procedure.
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy involves using a thin needle to extract cells from the breast lump. This procedure is often done with a local anesthetic. But unlike other types of biopsies, this procedure has no incision. The doctor draws cells from the lump through the needle and examines them for cancer. Your medical provider may request a needle aspiration followed by other biopsy types for more precise results. The recovery process after this biopsy is usually short and requires little to no downtime.
A core needle biopsy involves a thicker needle to extract a small cylinder-shaped sample of breast tissue. The doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area before inserting the needle. A minimally invasive procedure, it requires only a small incision to insert the needle into the breast tissue. This biopsy method is more accurate than a fine-needle biopsy, giving the doctor enough tissue to study for cancerous cells. Recovery time after this biopsy is minimal.
When a lump or anomaly cannot be felt by touch, a stereotactic biopsy may required. Mammograms and specialized imaging equipment will guide the process. The patient will lie face down on the biopsy table with the breast compressed between two plates. The doctor will use imaging guidance to locate the area for biopsy, then perform either a fine needle or core needle biopsy. This method is an outpatient procedure and requires minimal downtime.
A surgical biopsy method is considered the most invasive as it involves removing the entire suspicious lump or area of the breast tissue. A surgical biopsy may include an incisional biopsy, where only a portion of the lump is removed, or an excisional biopsy, where the entire lump is removed. This procedure is done under general anesthesia in an operating room. A surgical biopsy requires more recovery time than other biopsy types.
An ultrasound-guided biopsy is similar to a core-needle biopsy and is used when a mammogram cannot detect the abnormality, but an ultrasound can. The doctor will use an ultrasound machine to guide the needle into the breast tissue to collect samples. This biopsy method is typically done with local anesthesia and requires little downtime.
Knowing the type of biopsy you will undergo is essential in reducing anxiety and fear before the procedure. Talk to your doctor about which biopsy method is best for your condition. Regardless of the biopsy type, have someone drive you home from the procedure and follow your doctor’s advice for postoperative care. It is vital to remember that biopsies serve only as a diagnostic tool, and being told that you need a biopsy does not instantly mean you have breast cancer. Biopsies can help provide more specific results and guide the healthcare team in developing the right treatment plans for their patients.
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