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Breast Biopsy
General Information

There are numerous reasons why your surgeon might recommend a breast biopsy. The most common of these include an abnormal finding on a mammogram or an abnormal lump in the breast. Breast biopsies are typically done as outpatient procedures in the office, radiology department, or operating room.

The Procedure

If your procedure will be done in the office, simply report to the office at your scheduled time. Your procedure will be performed using local anesthesia similar to novocaine.

Biopsies scheduled to be performed in the radiology department involve localizing the abnormality using mammographic guidance (also known as stereotactic guidance or Mammotome biopsy). This will involve lying face down on a table during which time the lesion is localized using mammograms. The skin is then anesthetized and the biopsy is performed through a tiny skin incision. Once the procedure is complete, you will be free to go home immediately.

For several reasons, your biopsy may have been scheduled in the operating room. If the abnormal area is not able to be felt on exam, you will need to have a marker placed in your breast to help guide your surgeon to the abnormality. This involves going to the radiology department on the morning of your surgery and allowing a trained radiologist to place a tiny wire into your breast using mammogram or ultrasound guidance. This usually is a relatively quick procedure and is only mildly uncomfortable. If the abnormality is able to be felt on exam you likely will not need to have a marker placed.

You will then go to the preoperative preparation area where a nurse will review your medical history and an IV will be started. If you haven’t already done so, you will meet with an anesthesiologist at this time.

When the operating room is ready for you, you will be taken in on a stretcher and will meet the operating room nurses who will help take care of you during the procedure. If you didn’t see your surgeon in the preoperative area, you will see him in the operating room prior to the beginning of the procedure.

Depending on the type of anesthesia your surgeon has recommended, you will be very drowsy or completely asleep before the procedure begins and will be unaware during the procedure. When the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will slowly wake up and regain complete consciousness. A nurse will give you any medication you need, as well as a light snack. Your surgeon will speak to your friends or family members in the waiting room during this time.

Postoperative Information

Once you are fully awake and your pain is controlled, you will be released to the care of yourself and your family. For more information on postoperative care, please click HERE