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MINIMALLY
INVASIVE BREAST BIOPSY
 Breast
cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women
behind lung cancer. However, many cases of breast cancer are
curable if caught early. Mammography has been proven to be
the best tool in detecting breast cancer early and therefore
offers the best chance at preventing death by detecting the
tumor before it has a chance to spread. Unfortunately, mammography
also sometimes detects areas in the breast that may look suspicious
but are not cancer. It can be impossible to differentiate
these from cancer without further investigation. This investigation
can include additional mammogram pictures, breast ultrasound,
and even biopsy. Statistically, 80% of breast biopsies turn
out to be non-cancerous. In the past, all biopsies for mammogram
abnormalities were performed as surgical procedures in which
the skin was opened and a portion of breast tissue was removed.
Minimally invasive breast biopsy was developed in the 1980s.This
technique allows for a highly accurate diagnosis through 5mm
(1/4 inch) incision without the need for open surgery (Other
names for this type of biopsy are stereotactic biopsy and
Mammotome biopsy). A minimally invasive biopsy allows the
tissue in question to be removed through a needle attached
to a vacuum device. The needle is guided precisely to the
abnormality using digital mammography (a mammogram obtained
with computer techniques). The needle placement is confirmed
to be in good position by the images, assuring the highest
accuracy possible. The vacuum allows the abnormal area to
be biopsied without disturbing the normal surrounding tissue.
The tissue can then be examined by a pathologist to determine
if cancer is present. A tiny marker clip may be placed at
the time of the biopsy to mark the site of the biopsy. Most
women are candidates for this minimally invasive breast biopsy
and thus have options when selecting a biopsy procedure.
Minimally invasive breast biopsy is performed in an outpatient
setting under local anesthesia. This is done at the Rex Breast
Care Center just behind Rex Hospital. The procedure takes
less than an hour, and patients can return to their normal
daily activities immediately. Patients planning to undergo
this procedure must make sure they don’t take any medicine
that thins the blood and makes them more likely to bleed,
such as: Coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxin, Motrin, and
other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
Q:
How long does the procedure take?
Typically about 45 minutes to an hour for the entire process.
The biopsy itself takes only minutes.
Q:
Am I put to sleep?
No. That is one of the advantages of minimally invasive breast
biopsy. Local anesthesia is used so that you do not feel pain
during the procedure. As soon as the procedure is finished,
you are able to leave, since you don’t have to recover
from deep anesthesia.
Q:
Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Medicare and most insurance providers do cover this procedure.
It typically costs less than a breast biopsy performed in
the operating room.
Q:
What are the benefits of this type of biopsy compared to a
surgical biopsy?
The incision is much smaller, usually only 5mm (1/4 inch)
in length. The recovery time is much shorter—most women
are back to their routine activities the day following the
biopsy. While there may be temporary bruising, there is typically
no scarring with the minimally invasive biopsy.
Q:
What are the risks of the procedure?
The risks include bleeding and infection, the same as surgical
biopsies. The risk, however, is small.
Q:
Am I a candidate for this procedure?
If your mammogram shows an abnormality that needs biopsy,
you most likely are a candidate for this procedure unless
you have a serious bleeding disorder or are unable to lie
on your stomach.
Q:
Are there medicines that I should not take before the procedure?
Yes, anything that will thin your blood and make you more
likely to bleed, such as: Coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen, Naproxin,
Motrin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDS).
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