Breast Biopsy
What is a Breast Biopsy?
A biopsy is a small piece of tissue that is removed and checked in a lab. For a breast biopsy, breast tissue may be removed with a special biopsy needle or removed during surgery. It is checked to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.
Why Might I Need a Breast Biopsy?
A lump or other area of concern in the breast may be caused by cancer or another less serious problem. There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a breast biopsy.
Breast biopsies may be done:
- To check a lump or mass that can be felt (is palpable) in the breast
- To check a problem seen on a mammogram, such as small calcium deposits in breast tissue (microcalcifications) or a fluid-filled mass (cyst)
- To evaluate nipple problems, such as a bloody discharge from the nipple
- To find out if a breast lump or mass is cancer (malignant) or not cancer (benign)
What Are the Types of Breast Biopsies?
There are several types of breast biopsy procedures, depending on the location and size of the breast lump or area of concern.
Types of breast biopsies include:
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy — A very thin needle is used to remove a sample of fluid or tissue. An FNA biopsy may be done to help see if the area is a fluid-filled sac (cyst) or a solid lump. No cut (incision) is needed.
- Core needle biopsy — A large needle is used to remove small cylinders of tissue, called cores. No cut is needed.
- Pre-operative needle localization — A cut is made in the breast and the surgeon removes part or all the lump or area of concern. For small, deep, or hard to find areas, a method called wire localization may also be used.
What Are the Risks of a Breast Biopsy?
All procedures have some risk. Some possible complications of a breast biopsy include:
Bruising and mild pain at the biopsy site
Prolonged bleeding from the biopsy site
Infection near the biopsy site
If the biopsy is done using an X-ray, the amount of radiation used is small. The risk for radiation exposure is very low.
You may have other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the biopsy is done.
UR Medicine's Approach
Biopsies are especially important because early detection is key when it comes to diagnosing and treating breast cancer. UR Medicine’s Comprehensive Breast Center is home to some of the nation’s top breast experts. Our providers specialize in detecting, treating, and supporting patients with breast cancer. We will walk you through every step from diagnosis to treatment.
What Happens During a Breast Biopsy?
A breast biopsy may be done in a provider’s office or as part of a hospital stay, depending on the procedure. Biopsies may be done under local or general anesthesia. For local anesthesia, medicine is injected to numb your breast. You will be awake but won’t feel pain, and the biopsy will not start until the area is numb. For general anesthesia, you will be given medicine to put you into a deep sleep during the biopsy.
Special tools and methods may be used to guide the needles and help with biopsy procedures. These include:
Stereotactic biopsy. With this method, a 3D image of the breast is made using a computer and mammogram results. The 3D image then guides the biopsy needle to the exact site of the breast lump or area of concern. When stereotactic imaging is used, you will lie face down with your breast placed in an opening on the table.
Vacuum-assisted core biopsy. A small cut is made in the breast. A hollow tube or probe is inserted through the cut. It is guided to the breast lump or mass by MRI, X-rays, or ultrasound. The breast tissue is gently pulled into the probe. A spinning knife inside the tube cuts the tissue from the breast. Several tissue samples can be taken at one time.
Ultrasound-guided biopsy. This method uses ultrasound images of the breast lump or mass. These images help guide the needle to the exact biopsy site. When ultrasound is used, the probe will be placed on your breast to find the breast lump or mass.
Recovering After Breast Biopsy
How long it takes to recover will depend on the type of biopsy you had and the type of anesthesia used.
If you had general anesthesia, you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be watched closely. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room. Or you will go home. If the biopsy was done on an outpatient basis, you should plan to have another person drive you home.
If you had local anesthesia, you will be able to go home after you have completed the recovery period.
At Home Breast Biopsy Recovery
Keep the biopsy area clean and dry. If stitches were used, they will be removed during a follow-up office visit. If there are no stitches, you may remove the bandage or dressing when instructed to do so, and bathe as normal.
The biopsy site may be sore for several days after surgery. Take a pain reliever as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medicines may increase your chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medicines. Wearing a supportive bra may help with mild pain.
You may go back to your normal diet unless your doctor advises you differently. You may be told to avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days.
Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other drainage from the biopsy site
- Increased pain around the biopsy site
Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions, depending on your situation.
What Sets Us Apart?
UR Medicine’s Comprehensive Breast Center is different from other cancer centers. Our multi-disciplinary team of oncology-certified specialists is dedicated to breast care. We bring patients the latest innovations in treatment, clinical trials, and supportive care models. Our comprehensive approach to cancer care offers you both a specialized understanding of specific diseases and multi-disciplinary care.
We have access to all the resources of the University of Rochester Medical Center—including the Wilmot Cancer Institute, one of the nation's leading cancer research facilities. This means your cancer can be treated with new cancer-fighting medicines and technologies, often before they're available anywhere else, and you could be chosen to participate in groundbreaking clinical trials.