Breast Biopsy | San Jose

A biopsy is a simple procedure that helps doctors check if any abnormal tissue in your body is harmless or harmful. It's often used to investigate lumps in breast tissue.

When a lump is found in the breast through self-exams, mammograms, or other tests, a biopsy may be recommended. During the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is taken for testing. This can not only diagnose the issue but sometimes even remove small tumors or abnormalities, avoiding the need for more surgery.

There are different types of breast biopsies:

• Core Needle Breast Biopsy: Used when the lump is best seen with ultrasound. A small cut is made, and a needle guided by ultrasound quickly takes small pieces of tissue.
• Sonotome Biopsy: A quick procedure where a needle is inserted under local anesthesia, taking tissue samples. It also marks the area for future reference if needed.
• Stereotactic Mammotome Biopsy: Used when the lump is seen on a mammogram but not with ultrasound. This involves compressing the area, numbing it, then using a needle to remove tissue with suction.
• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A small needle is used to take samples, often without anesthesia, to check if a lump is fluid-filled or solid.
• Cyst Aspiration: Fluid is drained from a cyst using a needle guided by ultrasound.

During the biopsy, you might lie on your stomach or sit upright. It's done with local anesthesia, meaning you're awake but don't feel much pain. Usually, just one small sample is taken, but sometimes multiple samples can be collected through a single insertion.

After the biopsy, you might feel some pressure or mild discomfort, and there could be numbness as the anesthesia wears off. But there's usually no need for stitches because the incision is very small. Most people can return to their usual activities after a short recovery period. Results from the biopsy typically come back in a day or two.

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Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD