Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs are extremely useful and advanced methods of detecting and investigating abnormalities deep inside the body. Sometimes, however, it’s impossible to determine from these imaging tests alone whether a mass or abnormal area is harmless (benign) or potentially harmful (like cancer). For example, if your care provider has detected an abnormality in your breast using ultrasound, mammography, or clinical examination, it may be a harmless condition like a fibroadenoma, or it may be something more serious.
In this case, the only way to know for sure is to examine a sample of the cells or tissue in a lab. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be analyzed. This can be done surgically by making an incision in the skin and removing a part of the suspicious area. Often, however, effective and less invasive non-surgical options for collecting a sample are available.
During a non-surgical needle biopsy, a doctor uses a special needle to extract cells from a suspicious mass or area.
If clear fluid is withdrawn, the lump is more likely a benign cyst (not cancer). Bloody or cloudy fluid can mean either a benign cyst or, less often, cancer. If the lump is solid, small pieces of tissue are drawn out.
A fine needle aspiration biopsy can sometimes miss cancer if the needle does not get a tissue sample from the area of cancer cells. If it doesn’t give a clear diagnosis, or if your doctor still has concerns, a second biopsy or a different type of biopsy will be done.
A CNB takes longer than an FNAB because more tissue is taken to be checked. A CNB can cause some bruising but usually does not leave scars inside or outside the breast.[1]
Using imaging technology (X-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound), the doctor can pinpoint the exact location of the target cells and precisely guide the needle.
After the procedure, samples are sent to an independent lab for analysis. You will be contacted by our radiologist within 48 hours with your results. Your doctor will also receive a report.
The choice of which type of biopsy is right for your situation depends on many variables: how suspicious the tumor or abnormality looks, how big it is, its location, how many areas of concern there are, other medical problems you might have, and other personal factors. You should talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of each procedure.
At Des Moines-based Iowa Radiology's breast imaging center, we offer different types of non-surgical biopsies, including ultrasound-guided, stereotactic, and MRI. These procedures are minimally invasive, non-scarring and non-surgical. You can return to normal activities the following day, although the biopsy site will be tender for a few days, and bruising may occur. Talk to your doctor about what type of biopsy is best for you. If you have questions after a procedure has been ordered, feel free to contact us with any questions.
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Sources
[1]http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/forwomenfacingabreastbiopsy/breast-biopsy-biopsy-types