Physical exams, mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs all provide insights into breast health. However, imaging technology and examination alone cannot confirm the presence of breast cancer. When abnormalities are discovered in the breast and the cause cannot be determined via other methods, your doctor may schedule a surgical biopsy to identify their cause. Not sure what this process involves? Carthage Area Hospital’s General Surgery Clinic offers a quick overview to help you understand the surgical breast biopsy.
Why Are Breast Biopsies Needed?
There are many types of breast biopsies, and your doctor will determine which is right for you based on your breast size, the location of the suspicious mass and other factors. During this procedure, a small tissue sample will be removed and sent for laboratory analysis. For some patients, the initial biopsy will determine that no cancerous cells are present.
For others, however, cancerous or precancerous cells will be detected or results may prove inconclusive. At this time, a surgeon will perform one of two types of biopsies. These include:
- Incisional biopsy: A larger portion of the affected breast tissue is removed for testing, but not the full mass.
- Excisional biopsy: Also known as a lumpectomy, this procedure will remove the full mass.
While other biopsies typically only require a local anesthetic, individuals undergoing a surgical biopsy will be given both local anesthesia and IV sedation. In some cases, wire localization may be used to help the surgeon identify a mass that can’t be felt.
What Happens After a Surgical Biopsy?
As with any biopsy, the collected tissue will be analyzed. Once analysis is complete, a pathology report is created to detail all findings. A pathologist will provide this report to your doctor, who can help you interpret the information contained within.
Most importantly, this report will reveal whether precancerous or cancerous cells are present in the mass itself or at its edges, also known as the margins. Positive margins indicate that cancerous cells remain, while negative margins suggest that all affected tissue has been removed. Based on the findings of this report, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that may include additional surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, medication and more.
Learn More about Surgical Breast Biopsies
A potential diagnosis of breast cancer can be stressful. If your doctor recommends a surgical biopsy to assess an abnormal mass in the breast, come to the General Surgery Clinic at Carthage Area Hospital. Our team will provide compassionate care to help determine a diagnosis and give you peace of mind. Call 315-493-0110 to learn more.