This is a simple procedure during which small pieces of your lump are removed and sent for further examination. This is a diagnostic procedure done to determine the nature of the breat lump (diagnosis).
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
How is the procedure performed?
It is done under local anesthesia which will numb the area so you do not feel any pain. Nowadays biopsies are done with a special needle (Core needle biopsy - A photo of the needle or even of the biopsy being taken), which does not require any cuts on your skin.
A small local anesthetic injection is given around the lump, which takes a few minutes to make the area numb. Once it acts, the special Biopsy needle goes inside your lump and takes a piece of the lump out. In this way 5-6 pieces are taken out and sent for testing to the pathologist who will examine it under the microscope. You will not have any pain or pricking sensation at all during the procedure.
When the lump is very small and can’t be felt with hand or it is deep seated in the breast, biopsy is done with ultrasound or mammography guidance.
What do I do after the procedure?
It is an outpatient procedure which takes about 20 minutes. You can go home thereafter and no hospital stay is required. You may need some pain killer on that day. You don’t have to take an off from work for the biopsy. Dressing? Bath?
What are the benefits and risks?
Biopsy helps doctors come to a definitive diagnosis about your lump. The further treatment is planned depending upon the nature of the lump ( histopathological diagnosis).
Occasionally, there can be bleeding from the lump, which generally stops by giving pressure on the biopsy area. You may get bruising after the biopsy which goes away in 1-2 weeks.
When will I get the results?
It generally takes about 5-7 days to get the biopsy results back from the pathology lab. Your doctor will discuss the findings with you and plan the next step in your treatment.
If the report shows no cancer cells are found[...]
If the report shows cancer cells are found[...]