Intervention (Breast Biopsy)

A biopsy is a procedure that removes small pieces of tissue from within the breast. A needle is guided into a breast nodule or other area of concern to take a small tissue sample, which is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

• Please let us know if you have a history of bleeding, or have had an allergic reaction to local freezing in the past.
• We recommend you arrange for a driver to take you home after your appointment.
• Wear a two-piece outfit (e.g., shirt and pants), so you can change for the exam more comfortably.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception and fill out a consent form.
• Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
• Take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Please do not bring children who require supervision.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

• You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up and given a robe.
• We will escort you to the exam room where you will be greeted by the technologist.
• The technologist will go over the consent form, explain the procedure, and answer any questions you may have.
• We will perform a pre-scan to document the area of interest. Your breast area will need to be visible to your technologist for the exam.
• The radiologist will administer local freezing and guide a thin needle into the correct location under ultrasound guidance.
• The radiologist will let you know when the procedure has begun. Band-Aids will be placed over treatment areas.
• You will then be checked by the technologist and if there are no concerns, you are free to leave with your driver.
• SPECIAL NOTE: The procedure may vary depending on the biopsy method:
  • Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNA) – A type of ultrasound-guided biopsy in which a very thin needle and syringe are used to remove (aspirate) a small amount of fluid or cells from a lesion.
  • Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy – A special hollow needle is used to take a small cylinder-shaped (core) sample of tissue from a lump or abnormality.
  • Stereotactic (Mammography-Guided) Core Biopsy – A needle is inserted into the breast to obtain a tissue sample of the area of interest to be sent for pathologic assessment. This exam is done under mammographic guidance and uses local freezing.
  • Wire Localization – A fine wire marks the exact location of an abnormality, before a surgeon removes a lump. Once the abnormality is localized within the breast tissue, a local freezing is used to numb the area. A thin wire with a hook on the end is inserted, either by mammographic or ultrasound guidance. Once the wire is correctly placed you will be ready for surgery. Sometimes the radiologist will ask for additional images before you leave the clinic to ensure the wire is in the correct position.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

We will forward the results to your doctor within one week.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.