Breast biopsy

Breast biopsy

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yaowanut Kongdan

Breast biopsy is an important procedure in breast cancer diagnosis. It allows the doctor to examine and confirm whether there is a cancerous lump or not. This helps to confirm the accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. The doctor can plan an appropriate and effective treatment.

There are several methods of performing a biopsy, each with its own steps and advantages and disadvantages. This article explains breast biopsy, the types of biopsies, their advantages and disadvantages, their importance in diagnosing breast cancer, and how to choose a biopsy method.

Types of breast biopsy

1. Needle Biopsy

   • Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA):

     • A small needle, similar to a syringe needle, is used to puncture the tumor to extract cells for examination.

     • Advantages: Fast, painless, no surgery required.

     • Disadvantages: Insufficient tissue samples may be collected for diagnosis.

     • Selective approach: Use in cases where the tumor is small and has characteristics that are suspicious for a cyst or other abnormalities that are not suspicious for cancer.

   • Core Needle Biopsy:

     • A large needle is used to puncture the lump to obtain a tissue sample by cutting it into small pieces.

     • Advantages: Sufficient tissue sample is obtained, more accurate diagnosis than FNA.

     • Disadvantages: May be more painful than FNA, takes longer, requires local anesthesia.

     • Selection Guidelines: Use in cases where the tumor is large, contains calcifications, or has characteristics that are suspected to be cancerous.

2. Excisional Biopsy

   • It is a minor surgery to remove the tumor for examination.

   • Advantages: The entire tumor can be examined, providing accurate diagnosis.

   • Disadvantages: Requires local anesthesia or general anesthesia, has a longer surgical wound and recovery than with needles.

   • Method of selection: Used in cases where the needle aspiration method is not possible or a diagnosis cannot be made, or where surgery is required to remove the lump at one time.

3. Incisional Biopsy

   • It is a minor surgery to remove a piece of tissue from the lump for examination.

   • Advantages: Can examine some suspicious lumps, giving accurate diagnosis.

   • Disadvantages: Requires local anesthesia or general anesthesia, may have incisions and longer recovery time.

   • Selective approach: Used in cases where the tumor is large and requires examination of the tumor to assess its pathological characteristics in order to plan treatment if other biopsy methods are not available.

Breast biopsy procedure

1. Preparation: The doctor will assess the patient and select the appropriate biopsy method. The patient should avoid taking certain medications, such as aspirin and anticoagulants, before the test.

2. Biopsy: The patient will be under local or general anesthesia, depending on the type of biopsy. After the doctor takes a sample of the suspected tissue, the sample is sent to a pathology laboratory for diagnosis.

3. Examination and Analysis: The pathologist examines the tissue sample under a microscope and performs analysis. The results are sent back to the patient's physician for use in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Guidelines for selecting a breast biopsy method

Selecting the appropriate biopsy method depends on several factors, including the nature of the tumor, medical history, and patient needs. Your doctor will assess your situation and recommend the appropriate method based on the following guidelines:

1. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA): This is suitable for small lumps or cysts that are suspected to be normal. If the test results are unclear or insufficient, your doctor may recommend a core needle biopsy.

2. Core Needle Biopsy: Suitable for large tumors or tumors with suspicious features of cancer. This method can collect a sufficient sample of tissue for accurate diagnosis. It should be the first choice for biopsy.

3. Excisional Biopsy or Incisional Biopsy is suitable for large or suspicious cancerous tumors that require complete removal or in cases where the needle test results cannot provide a clear answer.

summarize

Breast biopsy is very important in diagnosing breast cancer and planning treatment. It helps the doctor confirm the accurate diagnosis and choose the appropriate treatment. A biopsy is an important step in preventing and treating breast cancer as effectively as possible. Patients should consult with their doctor and receive information about the examination procedure and results so that they can understand and prepare appropriately.

Note:: There is no guarantee of specific results and results may vary from person to person.