Breast Surgery- Biopsies, cancer surgery. (Ultrasound needle)

Breast Biopsy

A mammogram can show if there are abnormal changes in breast tissue, but only a breast biopsy can determine if the abnormal breast tissue is malignant. Anytime a lump or abnormal tissue is found in the breast, a biopsy is performed to determine whether it is breast cancer or a benign mass. There are several ways to obtain a breast biopsy. When a traditional surgical biopsy is performed, an incision is made and the abnormal breast tissue is removed. Newer procedures involve the insertion of needles to remove small amounts of tissue.

A surgical breast biopsy is performed under general anesthesia, while needle biopsy is performed with local anesthesia. During surgical breast biopsy, a thin wire is inserted in the abnormal area. Then, a one or two-inch incision is made to remove the tissue. During a needle biopsy, a small incision is made and then a needle is inserted to remove samples. The type of breast biopsy we perform will depend on the size, location, and characteristics of the abnormality.

Ultrasound-guided breast biopsies are performed when the abnormal area in the breast is too small to be felt and thus difficult to locate by hand. During ultra-sounded guided breast biopsies, ultrasound imaging is used to help guide us to the site of the abnormal growth.

Breast Cancer Surgery

Surgery for breast cancer is commonly performed to remove breast tumors. In breast-conserving surgery, only the affected part of the breast is removed. For women in stage I or II of breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery plus radiation therapy is just as effective as mastectomy. The advantage of breast-conserving surgery is that it allows women to keep most of the affected breast. The downside of breast-conserving surgery is that most women will require five to six weeks of radiation therapy after surgery. Breast-conserving surgery is not an option for all women with breast cancer.

Mastectomy involves the removal of all breast tissue, sometimes in addition to neighboring tissue. In a total mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast, including the nipple. A radical mastectomy is an extensive procedure that involves the removal of the breast, axillary lymph nodes, and pectoral muscles under the breast. Breast reconstruction can sometimes be performed at the same time as mastectomy.