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Type	Used For	Needle Sample size	Anesthesia	Pros	Cons
Summary of Breast Biopsy Methods
Sterotactic	Sample tissue from solid mass or calcium deposits	10, 11, or 14 gauge needle; several (5-6) samples are removed	Local	Larger sample than FNA can lead to more accurate diagnosis; no stitches or internal scar	Multiple needle insertions; limited sample size may underestimate more serious diagnosis
Vacuum-Assisted (Mammotome or MIBB)	Primarily used for calcifications	11 or 14 gauge needle. Requires 0.25 inch incision (approx. 0.6 cm); several (8-10) samples are removed	Local	Excellent for calcium deposits; removes several large samples with one needle insertion; no stitches; minimal scar	May be less accurate than surgical biopsy which removes entire lesion; not ideal for hard-to-reach lesions (i.e., near chest wall); operator dependent
Open Surgical	Masses, hard-to-reach lesions, (i.e. near chest wall) multiple lesions; masses with micro-calcifications	Requires 1.5 to 2 inch incision (approx. 4.0 to 5.0 cm); golf ball size area of tissue or more is removed	Heavy sedation; sometimes general anesthesia	Yields largest tissue sample; most accurate method of diagnosis (near 100%)	Causes permanent scar that may make future mammograms difficult to read; possible breast disfigurement; requires stitches and longer recovery

Breast Biopsy Chart

Once the procedure is complete, the biopsy is sent to the pathologist for evaluation under a microscope. The results are reported back to the patient by their practitioner approximately 2-3 days after the biopsy procedure is complete.

Today’s women and men have the advantage of rapid, accurate sampling of the breast abnormality ?helping to alleviate the worry and apprehension of a breast cancer diagnosis. It's important to remember that on average 80% of biopsies come back non-cancerous. In the case a cancer diagnosis is the reality ?the quick and early diagnosis can be key to successful treatment. The Mammotome?System helps the doctors at Great Lakes Surgical Associates quickly and accurately diagnose cancerous breast tissue for their patients, so the appropriate treatment can be sought in the most efficient manner.

Breast Cancer

One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer. Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50. Early detection of breast cancer offers the best chance for survival - Ninety-six percent of women who find and treat breast cancer early will be cancer-free after five years!