BREAST BIOPSY

TYPES

In a breast biopsy, there are specific methods in acquiring a breast tissue sample. 

• The fine needle biopsy requires the patient to lay down atop a table, while the surgeon will imbed a miniscule needle and a syringe into the suspected lump. A sample from the lump will be extracted, which will identify if the sample is a cyst filled with liquid or a solid mass one. 
• The core needle biopsy is identical to the fine needle method. Here, a larger needle is used by the doctor to a number of samples, with each one similar in size to a rice grain. 
• In a stereotactic biopsy, the patient lays down face-down atop a table, with their breast settled between two plates. The surgeon then takes samples, using a probe or needle, from underneath the said table. 
• In MRI-guided core needle biopsy, the patient is in the same face-down position on a table, but their breasts are now settled on a depression. An MRI machine will then deliver images of the lump to the doctor, who will acquire a sample using a core needle. 
• The surgical biopsy includes the removal of breast mass through surgery. This mass is then delivered to the laboratory of the hospital. Here, the edges of the mass will be examined to check if the whole lump is cancerous. To monitor the breast area, a metal marker may be implanted. 

SYMPTOMS

Majority of breast lumps are proven non cancerous, but a breast biopsy will investigate this further. 

A doctor will order a breast biopsy for the following reasons: Mammogram or breast ultrasound results, or if in a physical exam, a lump was discovered. 

Characteristic changes in a nipple may activate a breast biopsy. These changes are:

• Discharge of blood
• Crusting and scaling
• Dimpling of skin

All of the above are symptoms of a breast tumor.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis or test results of a breast biopsy can fall among the three: 

• Benign 
• Precancerous
• Cancerous

Should the sample be cancerous, the results of this procedure will tell what kind of cancer is present. 

Types of breast cancer include: 

• Ductal carcinoma, cancer in the breast ducts.
• Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare kind that causes the breast skin to appear infected. 
• Lobular carcinoma, a cancer of the lobules, milk-producing glands.
• Paget’s disease, rare cancer that afflicts the nipples. 

TREATMENT

Depending on the type of cancer and other findings of the breast biopsy, the doctor may recommend the following treatment: 

• Lumpectomy, surgically removing the tumor.
• Mastectomy, surgically removing the breast.
• Therapy in radiation. 
• Chemotherapy.
• Hormone therapy.