Breast Biopsies

Expert diagnosis of breast conditions

Breast Biopsies at Beverly Hospital

Breast biopsies are diagnostic procedures used to evaluate an area of concern detected on a mammogram. Breast health specialists at Beverly Hospital offer different types of breast biopsies to help make a diagnosis and ensure proper treatment.

During a biopsy, your specialist removes a small tissue sample (biopsy). We send the biopsy to the lab, where a lab technician closely analyzes it for the presence of disease or other abnormalities.

What to Expect

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

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

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.

Ultrasound-Guided Core Breast Biopsy

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.

How to Prepare for a Breast Biopsy
  • 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.

 

Types of Breast Conditions We Treat

Access diagnostic, preventive and screening services for all types of breast conditions, including: 
  • Benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors
  • Breast abnormalities
  • Breast calcifications
  • Breast cancer
  • Breast discharge
  • Breast infections
  • including mastitis
  • Cysts
  • Duct ectasia
  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  • Fat necrosis
  • Fibroadenomas

Services & Specialties

When needed, your breast health team works with other subspecialty providers at Beverly Hospital to ensure you have the care you need to feel your very best.

Featured Locations

Lahey Health Primary Care Danvers 480-Maple St
Breast Health Center at Beth Israel Lahey Health Care Center–Danvers Address Icon 480 Maple Street
Danvers, MA 01923
Phone Icon 866-479-3208
Women's Health & Medical Arts Building
Women's Health & Medical Arts Building Address Icon 83 Herrick St.
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone Icon 978-922-3000