Breast Biopsies

Breast biopsies are performed to obtain a tissue sample from a suspicious area in the breast, so that the cells in the tissue can be evaluated under a microscope. Most often this will be a core needle biopsy (CNB) or a fine needle aspiration (FNA). But in some situations, such as if the results of a needle biopsy aren’t clear, you might need a surgical biopsy. A pathologist then determines what type, if any, disease is present. 

Services offered:  

• • • Surgical Breast Biopsies - Surgical biopsies are only needed if an area of concern can't be needle-biopsied or more tissue is needed to make an accurate diagnosis. Most often a surgical biopsy is done in the hospital’s outpatient department. You are typically given local anesthesia along with intravenous (IV) sedation to make you drowsy. The skin of the breast is cut, and the doctor removes the suspicious area. You will likely need stitches after a surgical biopsy.

Talk with your provider about your family history, areas of concern, and breast cancer risk. The sooner any form of breast cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood that treatment will be successful.

Schedule your screening mammogram today by calling 641.684.2461.