Breast biopsy: when done, care and results

A breast biopsy is a diagnostic test in which the doctor removes a piece of tissue from the inside of the breast, usually from a lump, to evaluate it in the laboratory and see if there are cancer cells.

This test is usually done to confirm, or to mislead, the diagnosis of breast cancer, especially when other tests such as mammography or MRI have indicated the presence of changes that may indicate cancer.

The biopsy can be done at the gynecologist's office with the application of local anesthesia and, therefore, the woman does not need to be hospitalized.

How the biopsy is done

The procedure for biopsy the breast is relatively simple. For this, the doctor:

Apply local anesthesia to a breast region; Insert a needle into the anesthetized region; Collect a piece of tissue from the nodule identified in other tests; Remove the needle and send the tissue sample to the laboratory.

Often, the doctor can use an ultrasound device to help guide the needle to the nodule, ensuring that the sample is removed from the correct location.

In addition to biopsy the lump in the breast, the doctor can also biopsy a lymph node, usually in the armpit region. If this happens, the procedure will be similar to that of breast biopsy.

When surgery is necessary

Depending on the size of the lump, the woman's history or the type of changes identified in the mammogram, the doctor may also choose to perform the biopsy using minor surgery. In such cases, surgery is performed in a hospital with general anesthesia and may already include total removal of the nodule.

Thus, if the presence of cancer is confirmed, the woman may no longer need surgery, being able to start treatment with radio or chemotherapy, to eliminate the remains of malignant cells that have remained in the breast.

Does breast biopsy hurt?

Since local anesthesia is used in the breast, usually the biopsy does not cause pain, however, it is possible to feel pressure on the breast, which, in more sensitive women, can cause some discomfort.

Usually, the pain is felt only during the small bites that the doctor makes on the skin to introduce anesthesia into the breast.

Main care after biopsy

In the first 24 hours after the biopsy it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity, but the woman can return to normal daily tasks, such as working, shopping or cleaning the house, for example. However, it is important to consult a doctor if symptoms such as:

Swelling of the breast; Bleeding at the biopsy site; Redness or hot skin.

In addition, it is common for a small hematoma to appear in the place where the needle was inserted, so the doctor may prescribe an analgesic or an anti-inflammatory, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, to relieve discomfort in the following days.

How to interpret the results

The result of the breast biopsy should always be interpreted by the doctor who ordered the test. However, the results may indicate:

Absence of cancer cells: this means that the lump is benign and, therefore, is not cancer. However, the doctor may advise you to be vigilant, especially if the lump has increased in size; Presence of cancerous or tumor cells: usually indicates the presence of cancer and also indicates other information about the nodule that helps the doctor to select the best form of treatment.

If the biopsy was performed with surgery and with the removal of the nodule, it is common that, in addition to indicating the presence or absence of cancer cells, the result also describes all the characteristics of the nodule.

When the lymph node biopsy is positive and indicates the presence of tumor cells, it usually indicates that the cancer is already spreading from the breast to other locations.

How long does the result take

Usually the results of the breast biopsy can take up to 2 weeks, and the report is usually sent directly to the doctor. However, some laboratories can deliver the result to the woman herself, who must then make an appointment with the gynecologist to assess the meaning of the result.