Stereotactic Needle Biopsy

Hi,

I'm scheduled to have a stereotactic needle biopsy and I was wondering if you could tell me what this is.  Also, are there other biopsy options I should be aware of?

Thanks for your help!

Carol

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Carol,

A biopsy is the procedure in which a small amount of tissue is obtained in order to examine it under the microscope to determine if it contains cells that are characteristic of cancer cells.  The tissue is examined by a pathologist who is an expert in the criteria, which differentiate malignant (cancerous) cells from normal (benign) cells.  Before this technique  was available, surgery was required to evaluate suspicious tissue, as in a lump in the breast.  

Types of biopsies include fine needle aspiration, core biopsy, ultrasound-guided core biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, or open excisional biopsy.  The type of biopsy recommended by your physician depends on how large the breast lump or abnormal area is; where in the breast it is located; how many lumps or abnormal areas are present and if you have any other medical problems.

In stereotactic biopsy, computer-assisted X-rays allow the biopsy needle to be precisely positioned, especially for smaller lumps or lumps that cannot be felt.  Special mammogram films are taken of the site to be biopsied.  The radiologist uses these films and, with the assistance of a computer, calculates the exact location for needle placement to obtain the biopsy.

The procedure begins with cleansing the skin and applying a local anesthetic to numb the skin surface.  The radiologist then introduces a sterile biopsy needle.  Additional X-ray films are taken to confirm accurate needle placement.  Tissue samples are obtained through the needle.  It is standard procedure for the needles to be inserted three to five times in order to obtain an adequate tissue sample, this portion of the procedure takes ten minutes or less.  The biopsy site is so small, a Band-Aid is usually all that is applied, and a woman can resume her normal activities after the procedure is completed.  The entire procedure takes about one hour.