Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic breast biopsy is a quick, non-surgical office procedure for obtaining tissue samples from suspicious breast abnormalities found on mammography.

The minimally invasive procedure is performed with local anesthesia to the skin and deeper breast tissue. After the anesthetic is given, the physician makes a small incision in the breast. A computer pinpoints the area of concern and then using a gentle vacuuming technique, the radiologist extracts samples for the pathologist to study. 

A stereotactic biopsy may be recommended if you have:

• A distortion or change in your breast tissue;
• A suspicious solid mass; or
• A new worrisome calcium deposit

After the procedure, steri-strips are placed on the tiny skin incision and aftercare instructions are given to the patient.  The patient returns the next day for the physician to check the biopsy site and review the results of the test.
Although stereotactic breast biopsy is minimally invasive, there is a small risk of bleeding whenever a biopsy is performed.  For this reason, if you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, we ask that you stop taking them seven days before the procedure with your doctor’s approval.  Please inform our staff if you have any history of bleeding problems or have been taking blood thinners.

For more information please go to the American College of Radiology website.