Finding a suspicious lump is certainly troubling however getting a breast biopsy results can be a relief and the first step to recovery. What is involved in having a breast biopsy? We discuss the types of biopsies and what can be expected from the results of your breast tissue pathology reports. Bedford Breast Center is a leading breast cancer screening center, specializing in state-of-the-art breast cancer screenings and nipple-sparing mastectomy.
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If your primary care physician discovers an abnormality during a routine physical exam or mammogram, he or she may recommend a breast biopsy, which is a procedure commonly used to assess a suspicious lump or mass. There are other types of testing that can detect potential breast abnormalities, however a breast biopsy is recommended in order for a pathologist to analyze the mass in greater detail and decipher of if the mass is cancerous or benign.
What Does A Breast Biopsy Entail?
A breast biopsy involves the extraction of a tissue sample for the purpose of analysis. The biopsy will likely be conducted in your physician’s office, but the type of breast biopsy will depend upon the location and type of mass.
There are several types of breast biopsies, performed at Bedford Breast Center including:
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
- Core needle biopsy
- Surgical biopsy
The simplest type of biopsy is the fine-aspiration needle biopsy, which is used when the mass is detectable by touch, and if the mass is believed to be fluid. However, cysts that cannot be located by touch, or are believed to be solid tissue, require the use of a core needle and imaging equipment. Core needles are designed to extract small segments of tissue when the fine needle is found to be insufficient. The type of imaging equipment used – MRI equipment, ultrasound, or stereotactic – depends upon certain factors, such as breast tissue density, the type of cancerous cells suspected, family history of breast cancer, the presence of the BRCA breast cancer gene mutation, or if the patient has breast implants.
How Do I Prepare For A Breast Biopsy?
Your physician will give you guidelines to follow before your breast biopsy. In general, you will want to avoid taking blood-thinning medication, aspirin or ibuprofen before the procedure.
How Accurate Is A Breast Biopsy?
Breast biopsy accuracy is quite high; Surgical, ultrasound, and x-ray biopsies have an accuracy rate of 97 to 99 percent.
How Long Do Breast Biopsy Results Take?
Biopsy results are generally available within a 1-2 weeks after the procedure has been performed and sent to Pathology. Pathology results must be interpreted by your team of doctors including your radiologist, pathologist, and your breast specialist physician
For more Information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Heather Richardson at the Bedford Breast Center online or call (310) 278-8590. Servicing Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area.