Core breast biopsy is a minimally invasive biopsy procedure used to obtain breast tissue when an abnormality is found on mammogram or ultrasound but a lump is not felt. It can be done under either ultrasound guidance or mammographic guidance. When done under mammographic guidance it is referred to as a stereotactic biopsy. Core breast biopsy can also be done when a lump is felt. In that case, mammographic or ultrasound guidance is not mandatory.

Complications are extremely rare, but can include bleeding or hematoma (collection of blood). It is normal to have some bruising and soreness after the procedure.

Please call if you develop

• A temperature greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bleeding from the biopsy site that will not stop with 20 minutes of pressure and an ice pack.
• Rapid or unusual swelling of the breast.
• Whitish/greenish discharge or redness along the incision.

Avoid taking aspirin, Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naprosyn) for one week prior to the biopsy. Also avoid Vitamin-E supplements. Daily multi-vitamin is okay.

Please notify your surgeon if you are taking any blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Plavix.

Before the procedure you can eat and drink normally.

You may shower normally.

Do not use any deodorants or creams on the breast or underarm, as a mammogram may be taken.

Dress comfortably in a two-piece outfit.

Stereotactic biopsy uses mammographic images to compute and locate the exact area of concern. You lie on your stomach with your breast positioned down through the table and a mammogram is taken to identify the area. You will be awake for the procedure. Once the area is found, a radiologist numbs the breast with a local anesthetic and then makes a small nick in the skin (about half the size of a pencil eraser), with a needle and removes multiple pieces of the lesion, called cores. These cores of tissue are then sent to the pathology department for evaluation.

Ultrasound biopsy is done in a similar way except your breast is examined with the use of an ultrasound and you lie on your back rather than on your stomach.

Generally, a very tiny clip is placed at the site of the biopsy during this procedure. This marker is made of titanium. It is placed so we may follow this area in the future by mammogram or to identify the area if surgical removal is necessary. These clips are not painful and will not interfere with metal detectors or MRI machines.

In both procedures, the small incisions are closed with just a small bandage.

You will be allowed to go home following the procedure and should be able to resume normal activity almost immediately.

We always suggest someone accompany you for all procedures but you are able to drive yourself home after if necessary.

You will have a small band-aid on the incision and you can take this off in 2 days.

If you experience any pain you can apply ice on and off for the next day.

You are able to return to all activities/work the next day. You will be notified of the pathology results within 2 to 5 days of the procedure, and further treatment if necessary.

After the biopsy, you might have a small amount of bleeding or bruising and some breast soreness. Wearing a sports bra will help support the breast and minimize this.