Breast Biopsy

What Is a Breast Biopsy?

A breast biopsy is a diagnostic test often used by physicians to detect common ailments such as cancer.  There exist several different types of breast biopsies.  During each of these, the surgeon removes a breast tissue sample and examines it for cancer cells.  In a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, the surgeon uses a thin needle to penetrate any irregularities (lumps) to extract cells for further examination.  A large needle with a special tip replaces this thin needle in a core needle biopsy. In a stereotactic biopsy, the doctor uses imaging equipment such as X-rays.  This is especially useful when the lump is not evident on the skin’s surface, but appears on a mammogram or ultrasound.  In an open biopsy, the surgeon slits the skin and removes all or part of the lump.  

Stereotactic and open biopsies take approximately 60 minutes to perform, while a core needle breast biopsy takes only 15 minutes.  A fine-needle aspiration biopsy takes between 5 and 15 minutes to perform.   

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