Breast biopsy is a procedure to obtain a sample of tissue for detailed laboratory analysis to check if cancer is present or not. There are various ways to obtain tissue for tissue diagnosis, e.g. open breast biopsy; ultrasound guided breast biopsy, stereotactic breast biopsy, mammographic needle marker insertion, and then open breast biopsy.

How is the open breast biopsy done?

This has been the traditional way to obtain tissue sample for analysis. This requires a referral to a surgeon who would then schedule this procedure to be done under anesthesia either at the hospital or in a surgical center. A 2-3 inch incision is made in the breast, the sample is taken, and then the incision is sutured together. This is called open breast biopsy. In my practice in selected patients, I perform minimally invasive ultrasound guided breast biopsy in the office to obtain tissue sample.

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound technology is used by many medical specialists to take a peek inside human body. Essentially the probe sends sound waves through the body part being examined and then listens for the sound waves returning back from the tissue. It is a painless process and essentially harmless to the tissues being examined.

What is Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy?

In my practice in selected patient I perform minimally invasive ultrasound guided breast biopsy in the office to obtain tissue sample. This requires injection of Novocaine and 1/8 inch incision to insert the biopsy device in the breast mass in question. Then under ultrasound guidance the biopsy device is advanced to the mass and the tissue sample is obtained for analysis.

Minimal aftercare is needed. You may remove the Band-Aid in 8 hours and keep the small incision clean. You may or may not need any Tylenol for pain. You may go back to work same day or the next day.

What are the benefits of the in-office ultrasound guided breast biopsy?

1.  Simple quick procedure with minimal pain.

2.  Done in the office so the cost of hospital and surgical center charges are avoided with savings of approximately $ 1900 to $ 3000 depending upon the community.

3.  Time wasted in scheduling in hospital is avoided; therefore length of time one has to wait for diagnosis is much less.

4.  The scarring is minimal 1/8-inch scar as compared to 2-3 inch scar for open surgical biopsy.

5.  Recovery is faster : few hours as compared to weeks for open surgical biopsy.

6.  Time off the work is much less. You may go back to work same day as compared to 1 to 2 weeks for open breast biopsy. Therefore loss of income is avoided.

7.  If the diagnosis is malignant and further surgical management is needed then one has ample time to consider cancer management options ahead of the time.

How do I make an appointment?