Breast Biopsies

A stereotactic breast biopsy takes about one hour. To start the procedure, you’ll lie face down on the procedure table. This table has an opening into which you’ll place your breast. The imaging machine squeezes the breast between two plates, similar to a mammogram.

Your specialist takes X-rays to help us pinpoint the area from which we’ll take the tissue sample. Your specialist uses a thin, hollow needle to take tiny samples of breast tissue. We send the samples to the pathology lab for microscopic evaluation.

Breast MRI biopsy is used to sample tissue that may be worrisome and identified on Breast MRI. This procedure takes about two hours.

The MRI technologist and radiologist work together to position you on the MRI table. Images of your breast are taken. The radiologist numbs your skin using a local anesthetic. The radiologist then inserts a thin, hollow needle into your breast tissue and removes tiny samples of tissue. We send the samples to the pathology lab for microscopic evaluation.

An ultrasound-guided core breast biopsy is a procedure that doctors use to evaluate lumps or cysts that they’ve detected by prior ultrasound. This procedure typically takes about one hour.

To begin, your technologist uses ultrasound imaging to locate the area that we need to biopsy. Once we’ve identified the area, the radiologist numbs your skin using a local anesthetic. Then, your radiologist inserts a thin, hollow needle into your breast tissue and removes tiny samples of tissue. We send the samples to the pathology lab for microscopic evaluation.

• Bring a list of your known allergies.
• Bring a list of your medications, including frequency and dosage.
• If you are taking products that can increase your risk of bleeding, please notify the nurses in the Breast Health Center by calling 978-304-8112 at least three days before your procedure. This includes a variety of products:
  
  • Aspirin
  • Coumadin
  • Feverfew
  • Fish oil
  • Flaxseed
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Gingko biloba
  • Glucosamine chondroitin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Licorice
  • Motrin
  • Naprosyn
  • Plavix
  • St. John’s wort
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc
• Leave jewelry and valuables at home.
• Take your usual medications, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
• You may eat a light breakfast or lunch before your biopsy.
• Wear a comfortable bra and top that you can easily remove before the procedure.