Breast Biopsy
A breast biopsy
removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope to check
for
breast cancer. A breast biopsy is usually done to
check a lump found during a breast examination or a suspicious area found on a
mammogram,
ultrasound, or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). See a picture of the
female breast
.
There are several ways to do a breast biopsy. The sample of breast tissue will be looked at under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
- A fine-needle aspiration biopsy puts a thin needle through the skin, into the lump, and removes cells to look at. Needle aspiration may be done to see if the lump is solid or fluid-filled ( cyst). If the lump is a cyst, it will go away after the fluid is removed. If there is no fluid, another type of biopsy will be done.
- A core needle biopsy uses a large needle fitted with a special tip. The needle goes through the skin to the lump or area to take out a sample of tissue about the size of a pencil lead.
- A stereotactic biopsy uses a special type of X-ray during a core needle biopsy to find the area of the breast where the biopsy samples will be taken. This technique can check a lump that cannot be felt on breast examination but is seen on mammogram or MRI. A small incision is then made in the skin of the breast, and the core needle is guided by the X-ray to the biopsy site to take tissue samples. Stereotactic biopsy may not be appropriate for all types of breast lumps.
- A vacuum-assisted core biopsy is done with a hollow probe that uses a gentle vacuum to remove a sample of breast tissue. This method may be used for a core needle biopsy or a stereotactic biopsy. Vacuum-assisted biopsy can remove more tissue than a standard core needle biopsy. The single small incision does not require stitches and there is very little scarring.
- An open biopsy makes a cut in the skin and removes a sample of the lump or the entire lump. If your doctor cannot feel a lump, a small wire can be put in the suspicious area during a mammogram or MRI done just before surgery. The wire then guides your doctor to the suspicious area to take a biopsy sample.
More tests or biopsies may be needed if problems are found during the first biopsy or if your doctor is concerned about a certain area of your breast.
Why It Is Done
A breast biopsy checks to see if a breast lump is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
How To Prepare
Tell your doctor if you:
- Are taking any medicines.
- Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
- Are allergic to latex.
- Have any bleeding problems or take blood thinners, such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin ( Coumadin), enoxaparin sodium ( Lovenox), or clopidogrel bisulfate ( Plavix).
- Are or might be pregnant.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.

