Your physician may ask you to get a breast biopsy if your breast imaging results show an area of concern (tissue that does not look normal). The biopsy will help your radiologist determine if you need more care.
No. Although most biopsy results are not cancer, we often do not know based on imaging alone. A biopsy is necessary for a definitive answer.
A biopsy removes a very small amount of tissue from the body so that it can be looked at under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way to know if the tissue contains cancer or other abnormal cells.
There are many ways to take a tissue sample. The type of biopsy depends on what equipment the radiologist uses to locate the area of concern:
- Cyst aspiration – You will lie down while a member of your care team drains the fluid from a cyst in your breast.
- Ultrasound – You will lie on your back or side. Your radiologist will use ultrasound images to help do the biopsy.
- Stereotactic –You will be face-down or you may sit upright in a chair. We will place your breast in compression. Then, we will take images to find the biopsy area. We will use a gentle vacuum device to do the biopsy.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – You will lie face down in the MRI machine. Images will guide the imaging biopsy team to position your breast. You will feel a small amount of compression. Your care team will use a gentle vacuum device to do the biopsy.
Before the biopsy, the physician will numb the skin and the area of the breast with a medication called lidocaine. Then, they will insert a needle into the area of concern. They will use the needle to remove a small amount of breast tissue. You will be awake during the procedure.
A breast radiologist will do your biopsy. A breast radiologist is a board-certified physician who specializes in breast imaging.
Your care team may also include:
- A radiology technologist to manage the imaging equipment during your biopsy
- A registered nurse to care for you before, during and after your biopsy, and to teach you about your care
Your physician or nurse will tell you what to do to prepare.
- Be sure that you tell your nurse or technologist if you are taking any medications that may thin your blood, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil庐), naproxen (Aleve庐), warfarin (Coumadin庐), apixaban (Eliquis庐), clopidogrel (Plavix庐) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto庐).
- You can eat a regular meal before your biopsy.
Most people can drive after a biopsy. But you may feel more comfortable having someone accompany you to and from your appointment, especially if you鈥檙e worried about feeling nervous or stressed.
If you take medication for anxiety, or plan to take medication for anxiety on the day of your procedure, please arrive 1 hour before your appointment and bring the medication with you. You may take the medication after you sign the procedure consent form at the appointment. You also will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
You may bring someone with you to your appointment. They cannot be with you during the procedure. They can wait in the designated waiting area.
Your appointment will take between 1 and 2 hours. Your scheduler can provide more exact details about timing.
During the biopsy, you may feel minor discomfort, such as a slight pinch or pressure. This is normal. Your care team will use numbing medication to lessen any pain.
For a few days after your biopsy, your breast may feel tender or sore. You may have swelling. Ice and over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol庐), can help you manage any discomfort. Do not swim or bathe for 7 days after the procedure.
We understand that waiting for results can be hard. We typically have results in 2 to 3 business days. Your physician will your results.
