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Breast Surgical Biopsy

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Procedure

Breast Surgical Biopsy

(Biopsy, Breast Surgical; Breast Open Biopsy; Biopsy, Breast Open; Breast Needle Localization; Localization, Breast Needle)

Animation Movie AvailableRelated Media: Breast Biopsy

Definition

Breast surgical biopsy is surgery to remove all or part of a breast mass. A lab will check the sample to see if there is something unusual about it.

Reasons for Procedure

Breast surgical biopsy is done to look at a suspicious part of the breast. It can find out of the spot is cancerous or not.

It may be done if there is:

  • A lump
  • Tissue thickening
  • A nipple change
  • Leaking from the nipple
  • An abnormal ultrasound or mammogram

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over problems that could happen, such as:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Bruising
  • Damage to tissues

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The doctor may meet with you to talk about:

  • Anesthesia options
  • Any allergies you may have
  • Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
  • Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
  • Whether you need a ride to and from surgery

Anesthesia

The doctor may give:

Description of the Procedure

There are a few ways the doctor can remove the mass:

Open Breast Biopsy

A small cut will be made over the area. Part or all of the mass will be removed. The site will be closed with stitches or staples. It will be bandaged.

Open Breast Biopsy

If all of the mass is removed, then it is called a lumpectomy .

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Needle Localization

This method is used if the mass cannot be felt. Imaging is used to guide a fine wire to the breast through a needle. The wire will point to the spot that needs to be removed. A small cut will be made and the mass will be removed.

How Long Will It Take?

1 to 3 hours

Will It Hurt?

There will be some discomfort after the procedure. Medicine will help.

Average Hospital Stay

Most people can go home the same day.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

Right after the procedure, the staff may give you pain medicine.

During your stay, staff will take steps to control your risk of infection, such as:

  • Washing their hands
  • Wearing gloves or masks
  • Keeping your cuts covered

There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection, such as:

  • Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
  • Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
  • Not letting others touch your cuts

At Home

Pain should go away in a week or so. Swelling may last for a few weeks or months. Some activities may be limited during this time.

It will take about 2 to 5 days to get test results.

Problems to Look Out For

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

  • Signs of infection, such as fever or chills
  • Redness, swelling, or increased pain at the incision site
  • Increased bleeding or other leakage from the incision
  • Nausea or vomiting that is severe or lasts a long time
  • Pain that you cannot control with the medicine
  • Cough with shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Pain and/or swelling in the feet, calves, or legs
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References

  • Breast biopsy. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-biopsy.html.
  • Breast cancer—health professional version. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp.
  • Breast cancer in women. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/breast-cancer-in-women.
  • Kalambo M, Dogan BE, et al. Step by step: Planning a needle localization procedure. Clin Imaging. 2020;60(1):100-108.
Last Updated:
2023-04-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.