Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is done to find out if a lump is cancerous or not. It is a procedure in which a growth sample is taken out through needle or cut out surgically and examined by a pathologist.

Both female and males can be benefited by breast biopsy. Usually women are more prone to breast cancer but men can also be affected by this disease. Any lump found should be shown to a doctor. Though not all lumps are cancerous but it is better to be on the safe side. Early detection can save your life.

A needle biopsy is done by giving a local anesthesia and a sedative to calm the nerves. It is a non surgical procedure and the patient has not to stay in the hospital. This procedure is not painful and the risk of complication is very less. If the growth is palpable the doctor will insert a hollow needle with a syringe and will take out fluids and cells for testing.

In case of lump, which cannot be seen the doctor can use vacuum assisted biopsy. A special instrument with imaging guidance is used to remove samples of the tissue. It is performed under local anesthesia and a small incision is involved. Image-guided biopsy is carried out when the atypical area in the breast is very minute to be felt, making it hard to trace the area by hand.

If the biopsy is being done surgically then the patient is given general anesthesia and has to be hospitalized for a day or so. If the lump is small the doctor will remove the entire growth for testing but if the lump is big the doctor may remove a part of it for testing and may remove the rest later, if the result is positive.

The results are available within few days. Anyone suspicious of breast cancer should undergo biopsy.