Not knowing "what" a mass detected during your breast screening or examination is can be as distressing as a cancer diagnosis itself. However, it must be remembered that not every mass referred for biopsy is cancer; in fact, the vast majority of biopsies performed result in benign conclusions. Breast Biopsy is a procedure where a small tissue sample is taken from a suspicious area and sent for pathological examination, serving as the most reliable compass that determines your treatment roadmap.

at our clinic we perform biopsy procedures using interventional radiology techniques without requiring surgical intervention, using only millimetric needles.

Why Is Biopsy Performed?

Imaging methods (mammography, ultrasound, or MRI) give us important clues about the mass's shape, firmness, and vascularity. However, these clues alone are not sufficient to "definitively diagnose." To understand the characteristics of cells, their aggressiveness level, or hormone sensitivity, the tissue must be directly examined under a microscope.

Biopsy is necessary in these situations:

• Suspicious solid masses felt or visualized on ultrasound.

• Clustered microcalcifications (calcifications) detected on mammography.

• Irregular areas detected following suspicious discharge from the nipple.

• Sudden changes in the structure or size of an existing mass.

Non-Surgical Biopsy Methods Applied at our clinic

In interventional radiology, we select the most appropriate "closed" method based on the location and structure of the mass:

1. Core Needle (Tru-cut) Biopsy

Today the most frequently used and most reliable method. Fine tissue samples are taken from within the mass using a special needle device under ultrasound guidance.

• Advantage: Since not just cells but the tissue architecture is visualized, the pathologist's chance of making a definitive diagnosis is very high.

2. Vacuum Biopsy (VAB)

Particularly preferred for small calcifications or small masses seen on mammography. More tissue samples are obtained thanks to the vacuum force within the needle through a single needle entry.

• Advantage: Sometimes the entire small mass can be removed by this method, so we accomplish diagnosis while also cleaning out the mass.

3. Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB)

More commonly used for emptying fluid-filled cysts or evaluating lymph nodes. It is performed with a very thin needle similar to a blood draw needle.

[Image showing the comparison between fine needle aspiration and core needle biopsy]

The Procedure: Step by Step What You Will Experience

The biopsy process is usually "easier" for our patients than "getting a filling at the dentist":

1. Local Anesthesia: The area where the procedure will be performed is numbed with a very fine needle. After this step, you will not feel any pain or discomfort.

2. Image-Guided Entry: The needle's entry into the mass is monitored second by second under ultrasound or mammographic (stereotactic) guidance.

3. Sampling: When the needle mechanism operates, a "click" sound may be heard, indicating a sample has been taken. At this stage, you may only feel slight pressure.

4. Closure: After the procedure is complete, no stitches are placed. Pressure is applied to the entry site for 5-10 minutes and closed with a small bandage.

Post-Procedure Care

The procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes and you can return to your normal life immediately afterward:

• Ice Application: Intermittent ice application for the first few hours is recommended to prevent slight bruising or swelling in the area.

• Pain Control: If you feel slight soreness, simple pain relievers will be sufficient (blood-thinning aspirin should be avoided).

• Dressing: You can remove the bandage and shower the next day.

Doctor's Note: My patients' biggest concern is that biopsy might spread cancer. Scientifically, the risk of cancer spreading (seeding) with modern needle biopsies is negligibly low. The real risk is avoiding biopsy and allowing a possible tumor to grow.

Conclusion: Clarify the Unknown

Breast biopsy is not something to fear but the most informed step to protect your health. Once a definitive diagnosis is established, you either free yourself from unnecessary worries or seize the opportunity to start the treatment you need at the earliest stage.

Please don't hesitate to contact us regarding breast biopsy appointments or procedure details.