Breast Biopsy at PENRAD

Why is a Breast Biopsy Performed?

Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous. 

A breast biopsy is performed to remove some cells from a suspicious area in the breast and examine them under a microscope to determine a diagnosis.

During an image guided breast biopsy one or more tissue samples are removed and sent for analysis.  Image-guided biopsy is performed when the abnormal area in the breast is too small to be felt, making it difficult to locate the lesion by hand.

PENRAD Imaging utilizes Ultrasound, MRI and Mammographic imaging to perform Breast Biopsies.

The specific type of biopsy performed is determined by the individual condition of each patient and a recommendation from the radiologist.

Unlike a surgical biopsy, there is no breast defect with image guided biopsy and the procedure does not distort the breast tissue, which can make future mammograms difficult to read.

Image Guided Biopsy procedures are less invasive than a surgical biopsy, leaving little or no scarring.  Any of the biopsies noted below can be performed in less than one hour and the procedure is from one-fifth to one-third the cost of an open surgical biopsy.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy utilizing mammography pinpoints the exact location of a breast mass by using a computer and x-rays taken from two different angles.  Using these computer coordinates, the radiologist inserts the needle through the skin, advances it into the lesion and removes tissue samples. 

Using MRI guidance your breast will be gently compressed between two compression plates, one of which is marked with a grid structure. Using computer software, the radiologist measures the position of the lesion with respect to the grid and calculates the position and depth of the needle placement. The radiologist then inserts the needle, advances it to the location of the abnormality and MR imaging is performed to verify its position.

Ultrasound or Sonogram guided biopsy is used to detect changes in the appearance and function of breast tissue. A gel is applied to the breast and a transducer gently passes over the suspicious area. When the suspicious area if found, a hollow needle is used to remove some breast cells for microscopic viewing in determining a diagnosis.