Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic breast biopsy uses mammogram images for guidance. You lie on a special table on your stomach with your breast in compression. The lesion in your breast is located using the mammography device in the table. The skin next to the lesion is then cleaned and is numbed with a local anesthetic. Using the mammogram guidance, a biopsy needle is inserted in the breast and several tissue samples are taken. A second set of images will be taken of the biopsied breast afterwards to assure that the suspicious area has been adequately sampled. If the lesion is completely removed by the needle, a tiny metal marker will be placed in your breast to mark the location of the biopsy should any further surgery be recommended. After the biopsy, a bandage is put on your breast. Total time for the biopsy is approximately 1 hour.