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A Less Invasive Way to Check for Breast Cancer

Mammograms, or X-rays of the breast, can reveal abnormal tissue in the breast. However, mammograms alone may not be enough to tell if abnormal breast tissue is cancer.

“Only 20% of abnormal mammograms represent cancer,” says Stacy Smithers, MD, FACS, a general surgeon at South Central Regional Medical Center’s Laurel Surgery Clinic. “So when a woman has an abnormal mammogram, we need to examine her breast further to truly know if there is a problem.”

To determine if the abnormal tissue is cancer, doctors will recommend a biopsy. During a biopsy, the surgeon removes a small amount of abnormal tissue from the breast. This tissue can be checked in a lab to determine if it is cancer.

A Faster, Easier Option for Biopsy

At the Laurel Surgery Clinic, women with abnormal mammograms can have a biopsy with a technique that uses a smaller incision and removes a smaller tissue sample. This technique, called stereotactic breast biopsy, uses computers and X-rays to locate the suspicious tissue. Then, a doctor can remove a sample with a needle through a tiny incision.

“With stereotactic biopsy, we get the same information about a breast lesion as we would with surgery, but the procedure is less invasive,” Dr. Smithers says. “We can determine if a mass is cancer by doing a biopsy through a quarter-inch-long incision.”

Inside a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

For this hour-long procedure, a woman lies face down on a specially designed table that has an opening for her breast. The table is raised so that the doctor can work underneath.

Using X-rays, the doctor locates the area, and then removes a sample. A small marker is left in the breast so that the area can be located again and more tissue can be removed if cancer is present.

Only a local anesthetic is needed, and there are no stitches afterward. “The procedure is not painful, and most women tolerate it very well,” Dr. Smithers says. “It’s a great alternative for women who want to avoid sedation and a larger incision. The recovery is quick, and women can go back to their usual activities right away.” Most women will receive their results in three to four days.

Making More Choices Available to Women

Dr. Smithers is pleased that she can offer a less-invasive alternative to women who need breast biopsies. In her view, stereotactic biopsy is a way for women to get the information they need to take control of their health.

“Most masses aren’t cancer,” she says. “And when breast cancer is detected early on, there’s a much higher chance of curing it. So women shouldn’t be afraid to follow through and get the results they need.”