Breast Biopsy

Our Women's Imaging Center is here to provide minimally invasive breast biopsies to patients who have been referred by their doctor. The goal of the biopsy is to collect small samples of tissue that will be sent to pathology for evaluation and diagnosis. The majority of patients are able to resume their basic activities immediately after their procedure.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is used to guide the biopsy needle into the breast. The patient will be lying on their stomach with the breast placed in a special breast coil. An intravenous needle may be inserted into the patient's vein if a contrast agent is necessary to see the area to be biopsied.
• Ultrasound guided biopsy: Ultrasound imaging will be used for guidance of the needle into the breast lesion while the patient is positioned lying on their back or side.
• Stereotactic biopsy: Stereotactic imaging is used if a lesion was best seen on a patient’s mammogram. While seated in a chair, the breast is compressed in a mammographic unit. Images are taken at two different angles to allow the computer to calculate the depth that the biopsy needle must be advanced to reach the targeted area. Although the biopsy itself takes only a few minutes, the entire stereotactic procedure takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.

Learn More About Mercy Gilbert's Women's Imaging Center

Questions about your breast biopsy or to schedule and appointment, please call 480.728.PINK (7465)