What to Expect in a Breast Biopsy
Most breast tumors are not cancerous, but the only way to know for sure is to do a biopsy. There are two main types of breast biopsy--by a needle or surgically. What to expect in a breast biopsy will differ depending on the procedure.
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Needle Biopsy
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There are several types of needle biopsies. Some are done with a fine needle, while others may use a larger core needle. A doctor will often use a sonogram, mammogram or MRI to guide the needle.
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Surgical Biopsy
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A surgical biopsy, often referred to as a lumpectomy, involves making a cut in the breast to remove a mass (or part of the mass). The surgeon may also remove surrounding tissue.
Anesthesia
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A needle biopsy is usually done with local anesthesia that numbs the breast, though some patients request a sedative so they are more relaxed. A surgical biopsy is usually done with general anesthesia so you are completely asleep.
Samples
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Regardless of the type of breast biopsy that is done, the goal is to take samples of the suspicious area. A pathologist will look at the samples under a microscope to determine if there are cancerous (malignant) cells.
Recovery
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Recovery from a breast biopsy will vary from a day to a few weeks, depending on the type of biopsy, the size of the mass removed and whether or not additional lymph nodes or tissue is taken out.
Considerations
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Discuss the different biopsy options with your doctor. Some breast biopsies must be done surgically because of the size or shape of the mass, while you may have a choice with others.
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