A breast biopsy test is done by removing tissues or at times fluid from a suspicious area. The extracted cells are examined under a microscope. The same is further tested to diagnose the presence of breast cancer. After a lump is found during an examination on a mammogram, ultrasound or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a biopsy is done to determine whether the dubious area is malignant or not.
It is important to know that undergoing a biopsy does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer.
A breast biopsy procedure can be done in diverse ways:
a) Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
b) Core needle biopsy
c) Vacuum-assisted core biopsy
d) Open or surgical biopsy
Fine-needle aspiration
In this procedure a thin needle is inserted into an area of tissue or fluid having abnormal appearance. A sample of cells is collected to rule out conditions such as cancer. This procedure is very safe and is widely used in recent times to diagnose inflammatory conditions or cancer.
Core needle biopsy
In this procedure a small amount of tissue is removed using a needle having a special tip. This is performed while the patient is under local anesthesia which means the breast area is numbed.
Vacuum-assisted core biopsy
It is a minimally invasive procedure where a sample of breast tissue is removed for examination. It is done through a minor incision or cut in the skin which doesn’t need stitches, just leaves a tiny scar. This too is done under local anesthesia.
Open or surgical biopsy
This type of procedure requires a 1.5 to 2.0 inch incision before which the breast is cleaned and covered with special surgical drapes. This often does not require general anesthesia, but can be performed under local anesthesia. Your doctor may use ultrasound or MRI guide or a computer to locate the exact spot for the biopsy sample from mammograms that is taken from two angles.