Breast Core needle biopsy procedure

Patients undergo breast core biopsy generally due to one of the 3 main reasons:1) Presence of a mass or mass-like lesion either clinically palpable or diagnosed on imaging.2) Presence of suspicious calcifications on screening mammography.3) Nipple discharge or skin/nipple changes.Advantages of breast core needle biospy over Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are as follows:•Most cases can be definitely categorised•Provides architectural information•Microcalcifications can be directly visualisedThe biopsy techniques and imaging modalities used by radiologists vary and is generally dependent on the type of lesion, most suitable method for visualization, and patient related factors.• Calcifications are most obvious on screening mammograms and are amenable to stereotactic core biopsy.• A mass lesion is generally best seen under ultrasound (US) guidanceImaging modality used for biopsy are :-• Stereotactic• Ultrasound (US)• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Stereotactic breast core needle biopsy :–Uses X-ray imaging for localizing and targeting a lesion– Calcifications and masses visualized on a mammogram can be biopsied– Patient is placed in prone or upright position– Generally performed using a Vaccume Assited Device (VAD)– Needle gauges range from 7-14 depending on the lesion biopsiedNot all mammographically detected lesions/changes are biopsied. Radiologists use a method of scoring called Breast Imaging and Radiologists Scoring(BI-RADS) system to ass...
Source: Oncopathology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Breast Biopsy Procedure Source Type: blogs