The diagnosis of all breast disorders worldwide is first determined by needle biopsies. In cases of suspicious findings that cannot be detected by hand examination, breast biopsy is performed with local anesthesia to make a diagnosis. In the previous periods, it was necessary to remove the area with a surgical operation for the purpose of biopsy, today the operation is not planned without a definitive diagnosis since excision can be performed with vacuum-assisted thick biopsies. Thick needle biopsy performed in the radiology clinic is performed through imaging methods. After the procedure, which takes about 20 minutes, pathological findings are reported as benign, malignant or suspicious (atypical).
How is a Biopsy Performed in the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer?
Today, one in every 8 women has a risk of breast cancer during her lifetime. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of this type of cancer is of vital importance. The definitive diagnosis of whether there is a risk of breast cancer in the suspicious area is possible thanks to breast biopsy. In this procedure, a sample is taken from the breast tissue in order to make a definitive diagnosis.
Especially in breast examination, which women should have routinely, if there is an abnormal and suspicious situation during procedures such as ultrasound or mammography, it can be detected. As a result, the radiologist may request that one of the biopsy methods be performed. This process takes about 15-20 minutes. Biopsy may cause mild side effects such as bruising. However, after the procedure, the person can immediately return to his daily life. In addition, the pathology results of this operation are usually obtained within 3 days to 1 week.
Biopsy Methods
There are several factors that a doctor can decide whether to perform a breast biopsy or not. However, biopsy application varies depending on the location, size and structure of the lump in the suspicious area of the breast. There are two basic types of biopsy, needle and surgical. The biopsy methods used to determine whether there is cancer in the problem area are as follows;
- In the biopsy procedure performed with a thin or thick needle, the cancerous cells or tissues in the mass are cleaned. Fine needle biopsy is often preferred if the mass is filled with liquid and the lump can be easily reached. However, during the procedure, the fluid in the tuber is removed with the needle and then the mass is expected to be extinguished. In a biopsy performed with a thick needle, it is the process of removing less tissue from the suspicious area with a large needle. In this method, which is usually performed with local anesthesia, ultrasound device is used to direct the needle.
- In surgical biopsies, abnormal tissue is removed by making an incision in the breast. 1-2 incisions are made in the breast of the patient who is under local anesthesia. Then some or all of the problematic lump is removed from here. If there was a lump and it could not be easily felt during the examination but could be imaged by ultrasound or mammogram, a wire was placed on the suspicious area in the past and marked, and surgeons would try to remove the area at the end of this wire in the operating room. A mammography of the removed piece (specimen) would be taken to make sure that the correct area was removed. Today, biopsies taken with vacuum thick needles have replaced surgical biopsies. Since direct tissue biopsy can be performed under the guidance of mammography, MR or ultrasound-guided imaging, operations called excisional biopsy are not much preferred.
Performing biopsy procedures does not mean that the person has breast cancer. In fact, most biopsy results are benign. These procedures, which heal in a short time, show mild side effects such as bleeding or bruising. In addition, most breast cancers can be diagnosed painlessly by needle breast biopsy with local anesthesia without the need for surgical operation. Approximately 40% of breast biopsies from an experienced center should sound malignant. If the malignant status of pathology results is much less than this rate, it means that more biopsy is required. If there is a much higher rate, it means that a sufficient number of biopsies are not required in the clinic and some cancers can be missed. If the clinic where you will have a biopsy has an experienced breast radiologist, you can be protected from unnecessary biopsies and your existing cancer will be unlikely to be missed. Remember, the most important element for your breast health is to choose an experienced breast radiologist for your cat and regularly follow up with the same radiologist regularly.