When
You Need A Breast Biopsy
You found a lump,
and your doctor has told you that you need a breast biopsy. Understanding
current biopsy procedures can help you feel more in control of the situation
and help minimize your stress level.
The following
are the types of biopsies currently available, when each procedure is used,
the benefits of each procedure, and the drawbacks of each procedure.
Open
Surgical
In an open surgical
biopsy, an incision is made and the lesion is excised. This is the
method of choice when a lump can be felt but does not show up on sonogram
or mammogram. It is also used for large masses. On the
plus side, there is a greater likelihood that the full lesion will be removed.
On the negative side, the procedure is more invasive, more expensive, requires
a longer recovery ( usually a couple of days), and there is more scarring.
Core Needle
In a core needle
biopsy, a needle is inserted into the lump, and a sample is taken in 3
to 5 areas. This is generally used for masses that can be seen on
mammogram or sonogram. On the plus side, this is the least expensive
method, there is quick recovery (back to work the same day), and minimal
or no scarring. On the negative side, this is not a good method to
retrieve or characterize calcifications which are tiny bits of calcium
that may indicate early cancers.
Mammotome
In a mammotome,
a probe is inserted once and takes multiple samples. This is excellent
for calcifications and is also useful for masses which can be seen on mammogram
or sonogram. On the plus side, there is quick recovery, and minimal
or no scarring. It can also leave a tiny metal clip behind which
can be used to locate the area again if it becomes necessary. On
the negative side, it is more expensive than the core needle biopsy.
Background
by Ronnee
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