Sterotactic Breast Biopsy

No waiting . . . No wondering! A safe, reliable alternative to surgical breast biopsy.

Innovations in womens' health continue to change and improve the experience of women facing critical healthcare issues. Stereotactic breast biopsy is a new technology which offers women a new alternative to the waiting and wondering of the limited breast cancer diagnostic options of the past.

An alternative to surgical breast biopsy

Stereotactic biopsy is a technology that samples a small area of breast tissue by using a needle under mammographic guidance. The procedure is performed when an abnormal area or nodule has appeared on your mammogram. The procedure is done as an out-patient using local anesthesia.

Stereotactic breast biopsy provides your surgeon with additional information about the nature of your breast lesion and helps your surgeon decide how to accurately manage your problem. Since the biopsy is performed with a needle, there may be a very small scar in the area that was examined.

Since stereotactic breast biopsy only removes a very small portion of the area in question, the sample tissue does not always provide enough information to be 100% sure that the area is non-cancerous. Some patients will require the removal of more tissue by a surgical biopsy to make a more definitive diagnosis.

When the lesions on the mammogram are considered to be highly suspicious for cancer or an abnormal area is detected by breast examinations, surgical removal of the abnormal area may still be recommended.

Note: Stereotactic breast biopsy can be used on many occasions to provide adequate information to help us to manage breast problems. The procedure is simpler than surgical excision, but it is not always suitable for all types of abnormalities.

Health Education Index