Breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is a test in which either tissue or cells are taken from inside a breast lump and then sent for detailed examination in the pathology laboratory.
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What is it for?
Detailed examination for breast lumps
Treatment overview
Cancerous cells look different from normal tissue and this can confirm whether the lump is breast cancer, or whether it is a benign growth, such as a harmless, fluid-filled breast cyst.
At AOA体育平台, we offer a range of different breast biopsy techniques.
Your breast surgeon will advise you which is the most suitable in your case.
Breast biopsy techniques
Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
Your radiologist or surgeon will use a very thin needle to extract cells from a breast lump, usually without any anaesthetic.
This type of breast biopsy is usually performed to remove fluid from a painful cyst to relieve symptoms but it can also be used to take a sample of cells from a solid mass for diagnosis.
These may be enough to confirm that the lump is a harmless cyst but, if not, you may need a follow-up test such as a core needle biopsy or a vacuum assisted breast biopsy.
Core needle biopsy
This type of breast biopsy is used to examine the cells in a more substantial sample of breast tissue.
A radiologist or your breast surgeon will use a hollow needle to remove samples from a breast lump after the surrounding area has been numbed with local anaesthetic.
Ultrasound is often used to help position the needle accurately. A series of samples, each about the size of a grain of rice, will be taken. These are sent to a histopathologist to be analysed to find out if cancer cells are present.
Stereotactic breast biopsy
This specific type of breast biopsy may be required if a mammogram shows a breast abnormality such as:
- Microcalcifications that can be seen on your mammogram, but cannot be felt or seen on an ultrasound
- Distortion in the structure of the breast tissue that cannot be easily explained
- Abnormal tissue change in an area of the breast
- New calcium deposits at a previous surgery site
During the procedure, one of our expert radiologists will use two-dimensional X-ray images produced at various angles to guide a mechanised needle to remove the tissue sample.
A stereotactic breast biopsy takes about an hour and you will need to have a local anaesthetic.
Vacuum assisted breast biopsy
The ATEC Vacuum Assisted Biopsy system鈩� allows suspicious areas of calcification to be removed for biopsy under local anaesthetic.
This type of breast biopsy produces even larger tissue samples than core needle biopsy, allowing our histopathologists to interpret your results more accurately.
When you have this test, a biopsy needle is connected to a console and inserted into the breast lump.
An aperture in the needle opens and a vacuum gently pulls on the targeted tissue while a small rotating cutting system removes it.
Small non-cancerous breast masses can sometimes be completely removed in this way, which can avoid the need for an operation under general anaesthetic.
Usually there is minimal scarring and no stitches are needed.
Why choose AOA体育平台
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AOA体育平台, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Supported by the latest treatments, expert guidance, and a comfortable recovery environment in our patient rooms, you'll have everything you need to regain your best health.
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Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. We鈥檒l be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs, including healthy and delicious meals designed to support your recovery. We keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it鈥檚 your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve.
What's included in your package?
Choosing AOA体育平台 means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That鈥檚 why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our .
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you鈥檙e paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more .