My Breakthrough
Biopsy
There are several types of biopsy and your doctor will decide which is the most appropriate one for you. In all types of biopsy, a sample of breast tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
How is the test peformed?
How the test is performed depends on the type of biopsy.
Types of Biopsy
Fine needle aspiration
This is the easiest and quickest biopsy technique.Fine needle aspiration means taking a sample of cells from the lump using a fine needle and syringe (aspiration). The doctor can guide the needle by palpating the lump.
Some women can find this uncomfortable during the procedure but be reassured that the discomfort is transitory. This is an out-patient procedure and the whole procedure takes about 10 minutes.
The sample is sent to the laboratory for examination of the cells under a microscope (cytology).
Core biopsy
In this type of biopsy, a small cylinder of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory. The tissue is removed using a thick needle larger than that used for fine needle aspiration.This procedure is usually done in the clinic using a local anaesthetic. Despite the local anaesthetic, pressure and some discomfort may be felt when this biopsy is taken. This should not last and you should be able to go home after the procedure.
Excision biopsy
Sometimes it may be necessary to be admitted to hospital for a biopsy that removes a larger sample or indeed the whole lump, either as a day case or for an overnight stay. This procedure will usually be done under a general anaesthetic and it is likely that blood tests and/or a chest x-ray may be done to check your general health at this time.When any tissue is cut it is normal for blood and fluid to be produced. A wound drain (tube) will be put in place to remove this, so be prepared for this when you wake up from the anaesthetic. The drain will be taken out the following day before going home.
Wire assisted biopsy
Occasionally an abnormality may show up on a mammogram or ultrasound although the doctor can't feel a lump. When this happens the area must be localised (pinpointed clearly) so that a fine needle aspiration or a biopsy can be performed on the abnormality. To do this a fine wire is passed into the breast.This is done under a local anaesthetic, so it is generally not an uncomfortable procedure. The doctor then guides the wire into the correct place using the mammogram or ultrasound pictures.
In the case of a biopsy, the wire will be inserted either the night before the biopsy is taken or in the morning before going to the operating theatre. It is left in place so the surgeon knows exactly which tissue to remove. At the end of the operation, the wire is taken out.
Why is the test performed?
In most cases it isn't possible to be certain whether a change in the breast is benign or a cancer without doing a biopsy.
