Table of contents:
- Why is a breast biopsy done?
- Types of breast biopsy and procedures
- 1. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
- 2. Core-needle biopsy(CNB)
- 3. Stereotactic biopsy
- 4. Surgical biopsy
- 5. Lymph nodes biopsy
- Preparations that need to be done before a breast biopsy
- Things to watch out for after a breast biopsy
- Weigh the risks of a breast biopsy
- How to find out the results of a breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is a test procedure that is performed to diagnose breast cancer or other lumps in the breast. Then, how is this procedure done? What do you have to prepare?
Why is a breast biopsy done?
A breast biopsy is a procedure for taking a sample of breast tissue for further examination in the laboratory. This sampling is done to identify whether there are cell abnormalities in your breasts.
Generally, this test is needed if you feel a lump in the breast, changes in the nipple, unusual changes in the breast, or other symptoms of breast cancer.
This test is generally done after you have checked for other breast cancer, such as a mammography or breast ultrasound. If through these tests a lump or other symptom you are experiencing is suspected of being cancer, a new breast biopsy will be performed.
However, a symptom or lump in your breast is not always a sign of cancer. Reporting from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, about 80 percent of women who perform a breast biopsy, the result is not cancer.
If your test results show cancer, a biopsy can help your doctor determine the type and stage of breast cancer that you have. Thus, the breast cancer treatment given will be more precise and effective.
Types of breast biopsy and procedures
There are various types of breast biopsy that are commonly performed. The choice of the type of biopsy you will have depends on the size, location, and how suspicious of the cancer lump or symptom you are having as well as any other medical problems you may have.
1. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the simplest type of biopsy. This biopsy is performed by inserting a thin syringe to suck out a small amount of tissue from inside the lump.
This sampling procedure can be assisted by breast ultrasound or not. Doctors generally do not need ultrasound assistance if a lump in the breast can be felt by hand during a clinical breast exam.
An ultrasound is needed to help find the exact location of the lump in the breast if it is difficult to find just by hand. The tissue sample from this procedure will then be taken to the laboratory for examination.
Although the procedure is simple, the number of tissue samples obtained from an FNA biopsy is limited, so there are limited tests that can be performed in the laboratory. You may need a second biopsy or another type of biopsy if the doctor has not found clear results with this biopsy.
An FNA biopsy requires a local anesthetic before the test is performed, but in most cases, a local anesthetic may not be needed. The reason is, administering local anesthesia may be more painful than the biopsy process itself.
2. Core-needle biopsy(CNB)
Core-needle biopsy is a type of breast biopsy using a needle that is larger, thicker, and perforated. The needle is usually attached to a device that makes moving in and out of the network easier and more accurate.
The larger needle size allows this procedure to take more tissue samples. Therefore, this type of biopsy allows more tests to be performed in the laboratory.
Just like FNA, CNB biopsy can be done simply by feeling the lump through the hand or using a assistive device. A commonly used assist device, namely an ultrasound or MRI of the breast, is to guide the needle to the appropriate area of the lump.
However, unlike FNA, nearly all CNB biopsy processes use local anesthetic before the procedure.
3. Stereotactic biopsy
Stereotatic breast biopsy is a biopsy procedure that is performed using mammography to find lumps or suspicious areas in the breast. This procedure is generally performed when the lump or abnormal area in your breast is very small and cannot be seen clearly on an ultrasound alone.
When this procedure is performed, you will be asked to lie face down on a table with one breast in the opening, which is on the table.
The breasts will then be pressed in the same way as a normal mammography, to see the exact location for the biopsy. Then, the doctor will make a small incision in your breast and then use a hollow needle (as in the CNB process) or a special vacuum to take a sample of the breast tissue.
4. Surgical biopsy
Surgical biopsy is a procedure to remove part of the lump in the breast through surgery. Furthermore, the sample will be sent to the laboratory for further investigation. This procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
5. Lymph nodes biopsy
Lymph nodes biopsy is a breast biopsy procedure that takes a sample of breast tissue near the lymph nodes. These biopsy sites are generally near the armpit and above the collarbone.
This procedure is done to find out whether cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes or not.
Preparations that need to be done before a breast biopsy
Before you do a breast biopsy, tell your doctor if you have certain conditions, such as:
- Allergy to certain drugs, latex, bandages, or anesthetic drugs (anesthesia).
- Taking certain medications in the last seven days, such as aspirin, anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners), ibuprofen, or vitamin supplements, including herbs.
- Are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, because a biopsy is dangerous for the fetus.
- Using an implanted device that is placed inside the body, such as a pacemaker, especially when your doctor asks you to do an MRI.
Apart from these things, you also shouldn't use lotions, creams, powders, perfumes, or deodorants under your arms or breasts.
Experts also recommend wearing a bra after the biopsy procedure. You may be given a cold compress after the procedure to help reduce the pain. Your bra will help keep the compress in place.
Things to watch out for after a breast biopsy
Usually, you are allowed to go home immediately after having a breast biopsy. This procedure generally does not require hospitalization.
The doctor will advise you to regularly clean and change the bandages in the area of the biopsy. The doctor will also tell you how to properly treat surgical scars.
If you have a fever of more than 37 ° C or the area of the biopsy skin is red, warm, or oozing, call your doctor immediately as this is a symptom of infection.
Weigh the risks of a breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is a low-risk diagnostic procedure. However, every procedure still has possible side effects. Here are some of the possible side effects of a breast biopsy:
- Changes in breast shape, depending on the size of the tissue removed.
- Bruised and swollen breasts.
- Pain at the injection site.
- Incision wounds, especially onsurgical biopsy.
- Infection of the biopsy site.
Make sure you follow all of your doctor's instructions for treatment after the biopsy. This will reduce your chances of catching an infection.
How to find out the results of a breast biopsy
The results of a breast biopsy will usually come out a few days after the procedure. The test results will later show whether your lump is benign (not cancerous), precancerous, or cancer-positive.
If the result is not cancer, the lump could mean a fibroadenoma, fibrocystic breast changes, intraductal papilloma tumor, or other benign breast tumor. If your sample is cancerous, the results of the biopsy will list the type of breast cancer you have and the development of the cancer cells or the stage of your breast cancer.
This determination makes it easier for doctors to provide the right treatment. The sooner the presence of breast cancer is discovered through a biopsy, the sooner treatment can be started. That way, your chances of healing will also be greater.
