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Female Breast
Female Breast
Needle biopsy of the breast
Needle biopsy of the breast
Open biopsy of the breast
Open biopsy of the breast
Female breast biopsy
Female breast biopsy
Breast lump removal  - series
Breast lump removal - series


Breast biopsy

Alternative Names:
Biopsy - breast

What the risks are:
  • There is a slight chance of infection at the injection or incision site.
  • Excessive bleeding is rare, but may require draining or re-bandaging. Bruising is common.
  • There will be a scar. Depending on the amount of tissue removed and how the breast heals, the appearance of the breast may be affected.
  • Depending on the results of the biopsy, further surgery or treatment may be needed.


Special considerations:

Most breast lumps are detected during a manual breast exam or mammography. A discharge from the nipple may indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor. Even if the biopsy results are benign, discuss ongoing breast screening with your doctor.




Review Date: 10/31/2005
Reviewed By: Jeremy Goverman, M.D., Department of Trauma and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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