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Breast biopsy
A minor surgical procedure, whereby a tiny piece of tissue is
removed for examination, so that an accurate diagnosis can be
made.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to ascertain whether or not a
breast lump is malignant (cancerous), however, the vast majority
of breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous).
PROCEDURE
A breast biopsy is performed either by the insertion of a
special hollow needle, whereby a tiny cylinder of tissue is
'cored out' (very similar to that of coring an apple), or
through needle aspiration, whereby a needle is attached to a
syringe and a few of the cells extracted. Both these procedures
are done on an out-patient basis, under local anaesthetic.
Sometimes the surgeon may want to remove the whole lump. This
being the case, the biopsy will be performed under general
anaesthetic. The whole lump will be removed, and immediately
studied through a microscope. If no evidence of cancer is found,
the surgeon will sew up the incision, but if the lump is found
to be cancerous, the surgeon may want to proceed with a more
extensive operation at once, so that the disease can be halted.
These options should be discussed with you prior to the biopsy,
as it would require your consent.
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