Breast Biopsy

Get a breast biopsy at South Jersey Radiology

A breast biopsy is a minimally invasive, diagnostic procedure to remove a small sample of breast tissue for lab testing. It is used to confirm the presence of any abnormalities and can be performed in five distinct ways. A breast biopsy is performed by one of our board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who have undergone additional training in breast imaging to ensure accurate and quick results.

A breast biopsy can be an emotional and stressful experience. 60 – 80% of all breast lumps are found to be non-cancerous. A breast biopsy often provides patients with peace of mind moving forward. Our radiologists and technologists will be at your side every step of the way to make sure you are comfortable.

Son Hugging Mom In Her 40s
Pathologist Testing Breast Biopsy Sample
Breast Imaging Radiologist Interpreting Mammogram Results

View our available Breast Biopsy appointments at a location near you today

Our Breast Biopsy Locations

South Jersey Radiology provides women’s imaging services, including breast biopsies, across 3 of our office locations. SJRA offers evening and weekend hours with select locations offering same-day and next-day appointments to meet your busy schedule.

Locations Providing:

• Moorestown

• Turnersville

Woman In Her 40s Sitting In Chair Smiling

Breast Biopsy Patient Reviews

South Jersey Radiology provides inviting outpatient facilities accompanied by friendly and supportive staff, making for a comfortable experience for our patients.

What to expect during your Breast Biopsy

A breast biopsy can be performed in multiple ways. Your referring physician may recommend a particular method based on the size, location, and other characteristics of the suspicious area in your breast. One of our technologist will escort you to a room where you’ll meet the radiologist performing your procedure and discuss any questions you might have.

Most breast biopsies involve the use of an imaging machine (mammography, ultrasound, or MRI) to guide the procedure. If a lump can be felt in your breast by our radiologist with a physical exam, they may perform the procedure without an imaging machine (fine needle aspiration or core needle). Once the specific area has been located, local anesthesia will be administered to ensure you are comfortable. You will undergo a small incision or injection allowing our radiologist to obtain the tissue sample for lab testing.

Woman Checking In For Her Appointment

Breast Biopsy Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a breast biopsy?

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).

What should I expect?

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.

How do I prepare?

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.

When will I get the results?

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. On average, you will be notified of the results within 3 – 5 days.

Is a breast biopsy covered by insurance?

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

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Update

We are pleased to announce that South Jersey Radiology Associates (SJRA) has reached an agreement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon). Although we are still out-of-network, we are currently working with Horizon to finalize the date when we will officially return to in-network status. Once the date is confirmed, we will share an update.

Our team cannot thank you enough for your support and patience during this time. The countless emails, phone calls, and social media outreach we received were a powerful reminder of the trust you have placed in us at SJRA to provide the highest quality care to our community.