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A breast biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from a suspicious area and analyzed by a physician specializing in pathology to determine whether or not cancer is present. Breast biopsies are performed using local anesthesia (lidocaine injection). Special core needles are used to obtain the tissue samples. These biopsies are performed under imaging guidance to precisely target the area of concern and include: mammographic (stereotactic), ultrasound, and MRI. The type of biopsy that you have will depend on how the suspicious area in your breast can be best visualized as well as the safest approach.
Click here to learn more about Breast BiopsyA pre-surgical localization is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small wire(s) is placed in the breast to help your surgeon remove an area of concern. This procedure can be performed for both cancerous and non-cancerous areas at the request of your surgeon. The localizations are performed using local anesthesia (lidocaine injection). Special localizing needles help guide the wire into place under imaging guidance to precisely target the area of concern. These procedures can be performed using mammographic, ultrasound, or MRI guidance. The type of localization that you have will depend on how the suspicious area in your breast can be best visualized as well as the safest approach, a decision that will be made by your radiologist and surgeon.
An aspiration or drainage is a minimally invasive procedure in which fluid is removed from the breast through a small needle. Fluid may occur in the breast as a result of infection, surgery, or in the form of a breast cyst. These procedures are performed using local anesthesia (lidocaine injection) under ultrasound guidance. The fluid that is removed may be sent for laboratory testing in some instances. In rare cases, your doctor or surgeon may request that a small tube (catheter) be left in place to allow for continued drainage.
A ductogram, also called a galactogram, is a minimally invasive procedure used to evaluate a particular breast duct for tiny abnormalities when a woman has spontaneous nipple discharge. The procedure generally involves only mild discomfort. The radiologist inserts a very small blunt tip cannula into the leaking duct. A small amount of dye is then injected followed by a mammogram. An ultrasound may also be performed following the procedure for further evaluation.