All Cancers : What is a minimally invasive needle biopsy and how is it performed? What is the difference between a surgical biopsy and a needle biopsy?

What is a minimally invasive needle biopsy and how is it performed? What is the difference between a surgical biopsy and a needle biopsy?

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Minimally-invasive Needle Biopsy Uses, Breast Cancer Screening, Breast Tumor Detection, Minimally-invasive Needle Biopsy, Core Needle Biopsy, Cancer Detection, Breast Biopsy, Needle Biopsy Process, Surgical Biopsy Uses, Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Core Needle Biopsy Process, Needle Biopsy, Core Needle Biopsy Benefits, Surgical Biopsy, Breast Cancer Biopsy, Breast Cancer Detection

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All Cancers

Diseases:

All Cancers

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Video Answers (1)

Expert Answers

MelissaLeeMD (Physician (Verified) ) - 06 / 09 / 2012

Breast biopsies can be performed two mainly different ways: surgery where a patient is placed under heavy sedation or anesthesia, and a piece of the breast is removed to determine what it is. A surgical biopsy is performed when a needle biopsy is difficult to perform due to the inability to access the abnormality it with a needle or at times, the patient cannot tolerate a needle biopsy. Ideally we prefer performing minimally invasive needle biopsies as we can obtain a diagnosis without the need for surgery. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with a small needle placed into the breast and a piece of the abnormality is removed and sent to the pathologist for analysis. We are able to guide our needle to the area depending on how we detect the abnormality in the breast i.e. under stereotactic guidance, ultrasound guidance or MRI guidance. Often a small metallic clip is left inside the breast as a marker to determine where in the breast the biopsy was performed. Needle biopsies are also preferred as it can provide a cancer diagnosis so that the appropriate surgery can be planned i.e. to get clear margins and perform sentinel node biopsy.

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