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What tests will the doctors do?In the doctor’s or radiology rooms In FNA, a fine needle is inserted into the area of concern or, if there is a lump, directly into the lump. The needle is guided into the area or lump usually using the ultrasound as the guide, allowing the clinician to clearly see the area or lump and the needle. The needle is used to take samples of any fluid that may be present. A FNA is commonly used to aspirate (drain) a cyst, which is a lump filled with fluid and is usually benign. The samples taken with the needle will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. A report is sent back to your doctor or specialist. FNA is performed with local anaesthetic in the doctor’s or radiology rooms. Core biopsy A core biopsy is used when the area of concern or lump is solid (that is, not fluid based) and a tissue sample is required. Like FNA, this still involves a needle but the needle is slightly thicker and is designed to take a core of tissue not fluid. To use this form of biopsy a slight nick will be made into the skin under local anaesthetic. The needle will again be guided to the area of concern or lump with ultrasound so the correct tissue is taken. The core biopsy is performed in the doctor’s or radiology rooms. As with any samples taken, they will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. A report is sent back to your doctor or specialist. Stereotactic - Vacuum – Mammotome This form of biopsy is commonly used for women whose mammograms show calcifications in their breasts. Calcium is what is in our bones and a large number of women have scattered calcifications in their breasts. By far the majority of these are benign but can also be an early sign of cancer. The calcifications or area of concern are targeted using a needle – called a stereotactic needle – much like a core biopsy. Your breast will be compressed in the mammogram machine, and the calcifications located. The needle will then be directed into the area while your breast is held still. Local anaesthetic will be used and the needle will take calcifications and tissue from the area. The sample will be x-rayed to make certain that the tissue wanted has been collected. Again all tissue is sent away to a laboratory for analysis and a report outlining any findings will be sent to your doctor or specialist. This test can take a few hours. You will need someone to drive you and be available for support. In the operating theatre An open biopsy may need to be performed if a firm diagnosis has not been made using the other tests. Depending on the location and size of the area being removed, generally an open biopsy is performed in a ‘day stay’ hospital. The area removed will be sent to the laboratory for analysis. Results will take about three days and be sent to your doctor. Hookwire This procedure is used when a lump or micro calcifications need to be removed and the area cannot be felt by the surgeon. It is usually used because the other biopsies haven’t provided enough information for a firm diagnosis to be made. Using the mammogram machine (or ultrasound machine) as a guide, a sterilised thin guide wire with a hook is guided into the area that needs to be removed. This guide wire should not be uncomfortable and will be held in place with tape against your breast. The wire is put in on the same day as your surgery at the radiology rooms. In the operating theatre the surgeon can follow the wire directly to the area of concern. This allows for the minimum amount of tissue being removed. Once removed, the specimen is x-rayed and sent away to the laboratory for testing. A report will be sent back to your doctor or specialist. |
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