{"id":1777,"date":"2023-02-28T11:36:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T11:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/?p=1777"},"modified":"2023-02-28T11:36:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T11:36:54","slug":"stereotactic-breast-biopsy-biopsy-for-breast-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/blog\/stereotactic-breast-biopsy-biopsy-for-breast-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Stereotactic Breast Biopsy &#8211; Biopsy for Breast Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stereotactic biopsies are a subtype of biopsies that help diagnose cancer cells in the tissue of the breast. Sometimes called a biopsy mammogram, the procedure utilizes a mammography machine using two images of the breast tissue to take a tissue sample for testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As you may know, Dr. Eldredge, Dr. Shapiro, and their expert team excel in the <\/span><a href=\"\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/breast-surgery\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">diagnosis of breast diseases in Wellington, FL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. To help you learn more about the diagnostic processes, the experts at <\/span><a href=\"\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Advanced Surgical Physicians<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have created this comprehensive article that discusses a specific breast biopsy procedure called stereotactic breast biopsy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Importance of a Breast Exam<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As you may know, the best and most efficient way to treat cancer is to catch the disease at the earliest possible stage, when the body reacts to treatment most effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On that end, various screening methods can help detect any changes or lumps that may be cancerous. Once these tests return positive, usually, a biopsy is a next step to confirm the diagnosis. And during a biopsy, healthcare providers remove a small tissue sample from the suspicious area for further examination to confirm the presence of mutated cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nowadays, providers use modern imaging technology to help guide the biopsy. Mostly, they use ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, or biopsy mammogram, which uses mammogram technology to guide the needle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Stereotactic Breast Biopsy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload aligncenter wp-image-1779 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy.jpg\" alt=\"Pregnant Woman Have Consultation With Doctor Indoors.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27653%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201000%20653%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27653%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-200x131.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-400x261.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-600x392.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy-800x522.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Stereotactic-Breast-Biopsy.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sometimes referred to as a biopsy mammogram, this technique uses specialized mammography devices that provide guidance when pinpointing suspicious areas within the breast. The machines help by providing X-rays from two distinct angles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These two sets of images help the radiologist navigate the concerning areas as they remove tissue samples. Then, after the biopsy, a pathologist will conduct further analysis to confirm whether cancer is present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Usually, stereotactic breast biopsy is recommended when traditional mammograms and other breast examination methods have found:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A suspicious lump<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Abnormal breast tissue changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Small calcium deposits that may signal the presence of cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Suspicious changes to an area where previous surgery was performed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Breast structure irregularities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A stereotactic breast biopsy may help establish a proper diagnosis when other diagnostic methods have failed to confirm the presence of cancerous cells fully.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What to Expect?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before undergoing this procedure, you will have a thorough discussion with the provider, who will ask about the medications you use and the supplements you may take (including OTC medications, mineral supplements, vitamins, prescription drugs, or herbal remedies). Also, the doctor will probably ask whether you are pregnant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Generally speaking, experts will usually recommend the following tips when preparing for a biopsy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wear comfortable clothing before the procedure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid using perfume, talcum powder, or deodorant near the breast and the armpits on the day of the biopsy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Leave your jewelry at home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remove your glasses, dental appliances, and anything else that may interfere with the X-ray.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Equipment for Stereotactic Breast Biopsy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As said before, this procedure uses X-rays to examine the suspicious area. The design of the mammography equipment ensures that the rays only reach the area that should be examined.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">More specifically, the machine can compress, move, and hold the breasts in different positions, allowing experts to take detailed images from different angles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stereotactic needle biopsy creates detailed images and helps radiologists get the needle in the right area before taking tissue samples.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On that end, stereotactic needle biopsy uses different needle types to collect breast tissue samples:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">VAD or vacuum-assisted devices to suck out several samples with a single insertion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CN or core needle, which collects a single sample per insertion<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>During the Procedure<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, these biopsies are performed as outpatient interventions, with patients being awake throughout the biopsy, which takes no more than 30 to 60 minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most patients experience no pain or just a slight discomfort during the procedure without any scarring to the breasts afterward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During a stereotactic needle biopsy, the patient will lie face down on a prone table with an opening for the breasts or sit upright, facing the mammography machine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then, the radiologist will numb the area using a local anesthetic. After that, they will make a tiny cut on the breast skin for the biopsy needle. The biopsy needle is then steered through the incision and directed to the targeted areas. At the same time, the process is coordinated with the help of two images generated by the mammography machine. When the needle is in place, the radiologist will obtain more images to ensure the needle is in the right place and collects the necessary tissue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After this is all done, the provider will remove the needle and place a marker on the area where the procedure was performed for future reference. Lastly, they will take some more images with the mammogram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>After the Biopsy<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When all is done, the provider will dress the area with sterile strips and may apply pressure to the site to prevent or stop bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Following the procedure, patients may experience some soreness, bruising, and swelling, which can be quickly resolved with simple ice packs and OTC pain relievers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, if patients experience draining of fluid, severe bleeding, swelling, heat, and redness in the area, they should reach out to their doctor as soon as possible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lastly, following the appointment, patients should avoid vigorous exercise and other strenuous activities for at least a day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Discussing the Results<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload aligncenter size-full wp-image-1780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results-.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results-.jpg\" alt=\"A Female Doctor Sits at Her Desk and Chats to an Elderly Female Patient While Looking at Her Test Results\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27668%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201000%20668%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27668%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results--800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/02\/Discussing-the-Results-.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Typically, a pathologist will be responsible for examining the collected tissue samples. They will also determine whether cancer cells are present in the gathered samples.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After establishing a diagnosis, they will let the doctor who ordered it know the results. Then, this healthcare provider will be responsible for sharing the results with the patient and discussing treatment options if necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Doctors can gather plenty of information from these tissue samples. Apart from establishing the presence of cancer cells, biopsies may also show what kind of cell mutations triggered the disease in the first place and whether the cells are hormone receptor-positive. These things can help doctors and patients develop individualized treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Risks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unfortunately, stereotactic breast biopsies involve some minor risks, which include the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The patients may experience some pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In rare cases (less than one percent), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hematoma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hematomas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may develop in the area where the biopsy was performed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In rare cases, the area may get infected.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In even rarer cases, the needle may go through the chest wall, causing complications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The procedure can\u2019t be performed on pregnant women as the radiation may harm the baby.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The procedure may be challenging to perform if the patient has small breasts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Take Advantage of Modern Technology<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the past, more invasive surgery was the only option for breast tissue biopsy. Fortunately, with modern technological advancements, experts can now perform biopsies with minimally invasive techniques more quickly and with faster results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, if you have any concerns or questions about this type of biopsy or breast cancer in general, feel free to contact our expert team today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Please remember that the purpose of this article is strictly to provide information. You should contact your healthcare provider or our office right away if your symptoms persist or return.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stereotactic biopsies are a subtype of biopsies that help diagnose cancer cells in the tissue of the breast. Sometimes called a biopsy mammogram, the procedure utilizes a mammography machine using two images of the breast tissue to take a tissue sample for testing.\u00a0 As you may know, Dr. Eldredge, Dr. Shapiro, and their expert team  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1778,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[333],"tags":[384,385,387,383,386],"class_list":["post-1777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breast-cancer","tag-biopsy-mammogram","tag-breast-biopsy-procedure","tag-breast-exam","tag-stereotactic-breast-biopsy","tag-stereotactic-needle-biopsy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1777"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1777\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/advanced-surgical-physicians\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}