Currently, there are a huge number of diagnostic methods for various diseases. To make the correct diagnosis is already half the battle, because there is a chance of prescribing the right treatment, and the patient will have a chance of recovery. The female half of humanity often suffers from breast diseases. It is very important to recognize oncology at an early stage. That is why a breast biopsy is prescribed , what is it, we will try to analyze in more detail.
The concept of "biopsy"
The essence of this diagnostic method is to collect a small amount of tissue from the breast for subsequent pathomorphological analysis.
This analysis can most reliably confirm or refute the presence of a malignant tumor in the chest. A biopsy can also identify suspicious cells.
This procedure is carried out right in the doctor’s office. Depending on the type of biopsy, it can be performed with or without pain medication.
Other research methods, such as mammography or ultrasound, unfortunately, can not give an exact answer about the malignancy of the formation, therefore, a breast biopsy is prescribed. What is it and what varieties of this study are, we will analyze further.
Types of Biopsy
To make an accurate diagnosis, a biopsy is used as the most accurate research method. Depending on the technique, it can be of several types:
- Fine needle aspiration. It is carried out in the case when tumors can be felt in the mammary gland. The patient may sit or lie on the couch during the procedure. The biopsy site is treated with an antiseptic, and then a thin needle is inserted, and a certain amount of tissue or fluid is sucked into the syringe if there is a cyst.
- A stereotactic biopsy involves taking tissue sites from different places of the tumor. There are situations when a tumor cannot be probed because of its deep location, then help is used by mammography or ultrasound.
- Thick needle biopsy. This method allows you to get a much larger area of tissue, since the needle is equipped with a cutting tool. This makes it possible to get the most accurate diagnosis.
- A thick-needle stereotactic biopsy is used when it is impossible to probe the tumor. Mammographic images help determine where the needle is inserted.
- Incision biopsy. In this case, a small piece of the tumor is cut off. This method is already somewhat reminiscent of surgery, so it is carried out using anesthesia.
- An excisional biopsy is a miniature surgical procedure. The surgeon removes only part of the tumor or completely. If cancer cells are detected, then not only the tumor is removed, but also the neighboring lymph nodes.
Which type of biopsy to choose is decided only by the doctor after studying the tests and other studies.
Who is indicated for biopsy
If you decide to visit a mammologist, then this does not mean that you will be assigned such a procedure. Most often, before prescribing a biopsy, other studies are carried out that can give a preliminary result.
These methods include mammography and ultrasound, if after they are suspected, a breast biopsy is prescribed. Indications for this procedure may also be as follows:
- the appearance of discharge from the nipples, especially a bloody one;
- palpation of a dense formation in the chest ;
- there are changes in the nipple area , it can be peeling, discoloration, hollow;
- the appearance of ulcers on the surface of the chest;
- spots were detected on mammograms;
- detection of suspicious areas in the chest during ultrasound.
If such pathologies are detected, then the reasons for their appearance can only be determined using a biopsy.
The importance of fine needle biopsy
This is a very informative analysis. A breast biopsy can detect not only oncological formations, but also benign changes, which include:
- a cyst;
- papilloma intraductal;
- tumors, which are the necrosis of adipose tissue.
There are diseases in which a biopsy is prescribed, these include:
- mastitis;
- mastopathy
- a cancer in the breast;
- a cyst in the chest ;
- fibroadenoma.
After a breast biopsy, it will be possible to confirm or deny the terrible diagnosis with 100% certainty. Do not be afraid of this procedure, especially since in 80% of cases the result is negative.
Biopsy Preparation
A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure, but it presents some preparation requirements so that a successful conduct is possible. The doctor should warn the patient about some forbidden actions that are not recommended before the procedure:
- Before a biopsy, you should not take alcoholic beverages.
- Taking medications that prevent blood coagulation is also undesirable, as this may affect the result.
- If a woman is expecting a baby, then an MRI biopsy is not performed.
- Magnetic resonance imaging for biopsy is prohibited if the patient has a pacemaker.
- Before the procedure, the woman should inform the doctor about allergic reactions to some drugs, if any.
It would be nice if a woman was accompanied by such a close person who would not only support me mentally, but also help to get home if the woman does not feel well after the biopsy.
Biopsy Procedure
There is no need to go to hospital for a biopsy procedure. This manipulation is carried out in the office of a mammologist or surgeon. If the patient is prescribed a breast biopsy, what is it and how to behave during the procedure, the doctor should explain.
During the procedure, a woman can lie on her back or on her side, facing the doctor. When the study takes place, it is advisable not to move and lie still. There are many varieties of biopsy, and the doctor decides which one to choose, depending on the specific situation.
Many believe that a breast biopsy is painful, but this procedure can also be performed under local anesthesia, especially since some types of this study suggest the use of anesthesia.
After anesthesia and treatment with an antiseptic, a needle is inserted, with which a small amount of tissue or liquid is taken. After the procedure, there is no need to stitch, just apply a cold compress and a pressure bandage. The amount of time to carry out such a procedure can be different depending on the complexity of the situation. After a biopsy, the doctor must warn that any physical activity is prohibited in the next day.
Puncture biopsy of the mammary glands
This type of study is prescribed when mammography or ultrasound shows a volumetric formation in the chest, and it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. A puncture biopsy makes it possible to obtain tumor cells for further study.
A puncture biopsy is the most sparing diagnostic method. It resembles more intramuscular injection. Such manipulation is carried out directly in the mammologist’s office, and it consists of the following steps:
- The introduction of a needle into a tumor in the breast.
- Sampling tissue and fluid samples into a syringe.
- Removing the needle.
This method of fine-needle biopsy is often used in medical practice, because it is informative in terms of determining the benign quality of education. The result of a breast biopsy will help determine the future treatment tactics. The doctor can accurately determine the need for surgery.
Trepan biopsy
When it is necessary to determine the type and degree of tumor development, then a trepan-biopsy of the breast is used. Its essence is to excise the neoplasm body or its site. The procedure is painful, so anesthesia is usually used.
For the procedure, a special needle is used, consisting of a stem with a cutter and a long tube with a stylet, which is inserted into a previously made incision. A section of the cancerous tissue is cut, which allows you to get the most accurate result.
Thus obtained piece of tissue is subjected to further morphological research. Despite the high information content of this method of biopsy, they use it only in exceptional cases, since it poses some danger to women.
Actions after the biopsy
If the procedure is carried out in the mammologist’s office, then the woman after her completion can go home. In addition to limiting physical activity, the rest of life flows in the same way. After a fine needle biopsy, bruising can occur.
To alleviate your condition and reduce pain, you can take painkillers that do not contain acetylsalicylic acid.
If a biopsy of the mammary glands was performed with surgery, the patients' reviews recommend that it is better to monitor the condition of the sutures, to prevent water from entering the incision and to avoid sudden movements. Be sure to consult your doctor about seam care.
Obtaining biopsy results
The results of the biopsy will become known only after a few days, so you have to re-visit the doctor to find out. The conclusion that comes from the laboratory will necessarily contain the following information:
- tumor size;
- color and consistency of samples taken;
- location of neoplasms;
- the presence or absence of cancer cells.
If the results contain information about the presence of oncology, then the type of cancer and its susceptibility to hormonal drugs are necessarily given as additional information. Analyzing the results, the doctor, together with the patient, determines the most effective method of treatment.
Complications after a biopsy
After any procedure and research, undesirable consequences may occur. Possible complications associated with biopsy may be as follows:
- Breast edema and bruising.
- Infection and bleeding.
- The shape of the breast may change depending on the size of the removed tissue.
- Redness at the site of tissue collection.
- Fever.
If there are any suspicious manifestations, then this should be reported to the doctor. This may indicate the beginning of the infectious process, then additional treatment will be required.
So the biopsy of the breast is examined: what is it and why is this procedure necessary. The effectiveness of this method is really high, therefore, to make the correct and accurate diagnosis, you will have to resort to it.
Health for every person is the most important thing. Sometimes it’s better to endure all kinds of inconveniences and pain than to go through a difficult and lengthy treatment. Do not be afraid of a biopsy, you should always hope for the best.