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Patient
information guide : Printer
Friendly | PDF
Thank
you for choosing Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Centers
to perform your Stereotactic Breast Biopsy examination. We
realize you may have questions regarding your upcoming exam and
hope this information will help explain the procedure to you. If
you have further questions, feel free to call our office At (702)
732 - 6000.
Are
you a new patient?
Save
time by printing and filling out our new patient packet : PDF
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What
is Stereotactic Breast Biopsy?
Once a lump or abnormality has been detected, your doctor may want to
conduct a biopsy. This procedure involves taking sample tissue from the
suspicious area to determine whether it is cancerous.
While the thought of having a biopsy might be frightening, the results
can provide reassuring peace of mind. Remember, the vast majority of biopsies
turn out to be non-cancerous. And a biopsy is currently the only way to
achieve an accurate diagnosis
Common
uses of this procedure.
This procedure is used to find out whether the lump on your breast found
by your physician is cancerous or not.
How does it work?
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy is a nonsurgical procedure completed on an
outpatient basis with a minimum of discomfort and recovery time.
Upon entering the
procedure room, the woman lies face-down on a special table. The table
has a hole through which the breast is placed. The breast is slightly
compressed to immobilize it, just as in a mammmogram. This allows our
radiologists to get a clear mammographic image of the area to be sampled.
The table is connected to a computer that processes digital images. Placement
of the sampling device is guided by a computerized system using x-rays.
Two images at different
angles are taken that allow the computer to localize the mass and calculate
the coordinates. Local anesthesia is used before the vaccum - operated
needle is advanced to the coordinates that were calculated by the computer.
The advance of the needle is followed by several images.
Once the needle is
seen to be in the breast mass or the breast microcalcification, vacuum-assisted
biopsies are taken. The patient is awake throughout the whole procedure
and can go home with a Band-Aid® shortly thereafter. The pathology
specimens are sent to a pathologist, and the results are usually known
within two-to-four days.
Benefits
VS risks of a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy?
| Benefits |
Risks |
Usually requires only a 1/4" skin incision. |
Complications are rare, but patients should call right away if they
experience a fever or have much bleeding from the biopsy site. |
Generally is performed in less than one hour under a local anesthetic. |
Stereotactic breast biopsies are usually sufficient to determine the
nature of the breast mass. However, at times a larger piece of tissue
may need to be removed afterward. |
Minimizes discomfort. |
There is a small ( 2 - 8%) chance that the areabiopsied may not be
adequately sampled. You may need to repeat this procedure or a surgical
biopsy. |
Capable of sampling a variety of breast abnormalities, such as microcalcifications,
asymmetric densities, solid masses or nodules. |
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Tissue samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis and pathologic
results. |
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Procedure requires no stitches. |
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Patient
Comfort.
Compared to surgery, stereotactic breast biopsy is quick and less painful
Preparation required.
It is not necessary (in fact, it is not recommended) to fast prior to
the biopsy. Wear comfortable clothing on the day of the biopsy. On arrival,
you will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up and put on
a mammography gown. The technologist will then discuss the biopsy with
you, ask pertinent questions, and answer any questions you might have
and will have you sign a consent form. Please inform the technologist
if you have had a prior allergic reactions to any medications.
After
the test.
It is best to avoid strenuous activity for about 24 hours after the procedure.
It also helps to place an ice pack on the breast to ease any discomfort.
Some patients may have a bruise for about 10 days after the procedure,
and there may be a tiny scar at the point where the needle was inserted.
Results of the test
At SDMI, we have a radiologist on site at all times so the test will be
interpreted promptly. After we have received the pathologist diagnosis
which usually takes 2 working days. The results will be phoned, faxed,
mailed, or delivered electronically to the referring physician. He/she
will share the results with the patient.
I
am ready to schedule an appointment.
To schedule a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy with SDMI, please call 732 -
6000
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