A breast biopsy is a procedure that is recommended when one of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists identifies an area of concerns through a breast imaging study (screening or diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound, or breast MRI).
At South Jersey Radiology, our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists and technologists are trained to make this procedure as comfortable and as quick as possible, so that all the answers you need are found.
There are five different types of breast biopsies. Each breast biopsy is performed slightly differently.
• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy – For a stereotactic (mammogram-guided) breast biopsy, you will be instructed to sit upright or be positioned on your side depending on the location of the abnormality. Your breast will be positioned with slight compression, similar to a mammogram. Our radiologist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable before inserting the needle through a small incision.
• Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy – An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is performed when the area that needs to be further studied was found on an ultrasound. During the study, you will lie on your back and turn slightly to the side. Our radiologist will use the ultrasound transducer to locate the area and inject a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. Then, our radiologist will insert a needle through a small incision in the skin and retrieve a breast tissue sample.
• MR Guided Breast Biopsy – During an MR-guided breast biopsy, a local anesthetic is administered to the breast to ensure you are comfortable during the study. Contrast material is given intravenously to highlight the area being examined. You will lie on your stomach, and your breasts will be positioned into a cushioned opening containing a breast imaging coil. Based on the initial images obtained, our radiologist will determine the position and depth of the area for the breast biopsy. Then, a needle is inserted through a small incision in the skin to retrieve a breast tissue sample for further evaluation.
• Fine Needle Aspiration Breast Biopsy – This is the simplest type of breast biopsy and may be used to evaluate a lump that can be felt during a diagnostic breast exam. You will lie on a table while one of our radiologists directs a very thin needle into the lump. The needle is attached to a syringe where a sample of cells can be collected. A fine needle aspiration can help distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst and a mass, and involves no incision.
• Core Needle Breast Biopsy – In certain cases, a lump that is visible on an imaging study or by a physician exam may be assessed by a core needle breast biopsy. Several, rice-sized samples are collected through a thin, hollow needle. This procedure involves no incision and may require imaging, either a mammogram or MRI, to guide the injection.
At the time of a breast biopsy procedure, a small biopsy clip may be left at the site of the biopsy if it needs to be easily located again for follow-up studies or procedures.
Before any type of breast biopsy, it is important to follow these preparation guidelines.
• Avoid eating a large meal within three hours of your appointment.
• Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for 5 – 7 days prior to your breast biopsy. Please inform our staff of any medications that you are actively taking.
• Wear comfortable and supportive clothing. Avoid single-piece articles of clothing or anything with metal accessories such as jewelry or zippers.
• Please arrive fifteen minutes before your appointment.
If you suffer from anxiety or claustrophobia, please reach out to your referring physician. A mild sedative may be permitted on the day of your appointment if approved by your physician.
After the procedure, the breast tissue samples will be sent to a lab where they will be analyzed by a pathologist to confirm a diagnosis. Our radiologist and your referring physician will receive pathology reports. We will make sure your physician receives our analysis in time for your follow up visit with them.
South Jersey Radiology is in-network with 99% of health insurance providers. Our patient service representatives will work with your health insurance provider and you to ensure all requirements are discussed so the best course of action is taken. If you have questions or concerns regarding your insurance coverage, please reach out to your health insurance provider
