What is Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic breast biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of suspicious breast tissue is removed from your breast. In a stereotactic breast biopsy, an X-ray of the breast (mammogram) is used during the procedure to locate the area of the breast where the tissue sample will be taken. After the procedure, the tissue that is removed from the breast is examined under a microscope to see if cancerous cells are present. You may need a stereotactic breast biopsy if you have:

• Any undiagnosed breast mass (tumor).
• Calcium deposits (calcifications) or abnormalities seen on a mammogram, ultrasound results, or MRI results.
• Nipple abnormalities, dimpling, crusting, or ulcerations.
• Abnormal discharge from the nipple, especially blood.
• Redness, swelling, and pain of the breast.
• Suspicious changes in the breast seen on your mammogram.

If the breast abnormality is found to be cancerous (malignant), a stereotactic breast biopsy can help to determine what the best treatment is for you.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection at the needle-insertion site.
• Bleeding.
• Soreness.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Bruising and swelling of the breast.
• Change in the shape of the breast.
• Damage to other tissues.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Wear a good support bra to the procedure.
• Do not put on antiperspirant or deodorant the day of the procedure, because it may cause white spots on the X-ray images.
• You may be screened for extra fluid around the lymph nodes (lymphedema).
• You will be asked to remove jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, metal objects, or clothing that might interfere with the X-ray images.

What happens during the procedure?

• You will lie face-down on a table. Your breast will pass through an opening in the table.
• Your breast will be gently compressed into an unchanging (fixed) position between a breast platform and a compression plate. Try to stay as relaxed as possible during the procedure. You will need to stay in one position for the length of the procedure.
• X-rays will be used to locate the breast lump.
• Your skin will be washed with soap, and you will be given a medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• A small incision will be made in your breast.
• The tip of the biopsy needle will be directed through the incision. Several small pieces of suspicious tissue will be collected.
• Then, a final set of X-ray images will be taken. If they show that the suspicious tissue has been mostly or completely removed, a small clip will be left at the biopsy site. This will allow the biopsy site to be easily located if the results of the biopsy show that the tissue is cancerous.
• The incision will be stitched (sutured) or taped and covered with a bandage (dressing). Your health care provider may apply a bandage that is wrapped tightly around your chest (pressure dressing) and an ice pack to prevent bleeding and swelling in the breast.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• If you are doing well and have no problems, you will be allowed to go home.
• It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Soreness at the biopsy site.
• Bruising on your breast.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Avoid activities that take a lot of effort (are strenuous) for at least 24 hours or as told by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

Biopsy site care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your biopsy site. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision or puncture area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• If directed, put ice on the biopsy site to relieve tenderness:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

General instructions

• Wear a good support bra for as long as told by your health care provider.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• You may need to be screened for extra fluid around the lymph nodes (lymphedema). Follow instructions from your health care provider about how often you should be checked.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the biopsy site.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your biopsy site.
• Your biopsy site feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from the biopsy site.
• You have a fever.
• You have a rash.
• You become light-headed or dizzy.

Get help right away if:

• You have increased bleeding (more than a small amount) from the biopsy site.
• You have shortness of breath.
• You have chest pain.
• You faint.