Breast Biopsy

Breast Biopsy Overview

A breast biopsy is a sample of tissue taken from the breast for closer examination. A biopsy is usually ordered when a mammogram or clinical breast examination finds an abnormality, lump or cyst. A biopsy is the only way to know if an abnormal area is cancer.

The type of biopsy your physician may order for you will be determined by the location and size of the lump or area of concern.

We provide three different biopsy procedures to help your physician make the best decision possible:

Ultrasound Guided Biopsy

An ultrasound guided biopsy is minimally invasive and reliable for determining if a lump or area of concern is cancerous. A small tissue sample is obtained with a needle, which is then sent to a pathologist to be read.

To obtain the sample, a gel is applied to help the hand-held transducer glide over the skin with ease. Images are generated through the transducer. Once the abnormality is located, the area will be cleaned and a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area. Samples will be extracted through a small incision.

This procedure takes roughly 15 minutes, but you should be prepared to be at the center for at least an hour. The alternative to this method is a surgical biopsy.

MRI Guided Biopsy

An MRI guided biopsy is a non-radiation, minimally invasive technique used to gather tissue samples from an abnormal area of the breast.

For this biopsy, radio frequencies and a strong magnet are used in conjunction with contrast material, given through IV, to create a detailed photo of the breast. Some discomfort may be experienced, but is different with every patient.

This procedure and pre/post care usually take a few hours, with the procedure itself taking about an hour.

Stereotactic Biopsy

A stereotactic biopsy is minimally invasive and uses x-ray imaging techniques to gather tissue samples from an abnormal area of the breast. This procedure is an alternative to more invasive biopsies and uses a low-dose of radiation.

During the procedure, imaging techniques will be used to locate the area of concern. The radiologist will clean the area and inject a local anesthetic into the skin to numb the area. A small incision is made in which to withdraw the tissue sample. After the tissue is removed, a small metallic marker will be placed to serve as a point of reference for future scans.

Stereotactic biopsies take about an hour and are performed under a local anesthetic. Some women do experience discomfort, but you should be able to return to normal routines immediately after the procedure.

ACS Recommendations

The American Cancer Society recommends women over the age of 40 have a routine mammogram once a year. Mammograms can detect abnormalities in the breast even before they can be felt by a clinical breast exam, enabling doctors to catch diseases at their earliest stages and reducing the risk of dying from breast cancer by 30 percent.

Breast Care
Hattiesburg, MS
The Breast Center
Hattiesburg Clinic - 28th Place
421 S. 28th Ave.
Ste. 100
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
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Monday - Friday
7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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