A Better Breast Biopsy

If a mammogram reveals that a woman has a lesion (a suspicious change in breast tissue, such as a lump), she needs further testing to determine whether the lesion is cancerous, meaning immediate treatment, or benign, meaning a big sigh of relief.

A breast biopsy removes a specimen of the lesion so pathologists can examine it. Shore Memorial Hospital's Center for Women's Health was the first facility in the area to offer the Sterotactic Breast Biopsy System - a powerful new breast cancer detection technology.

In the past, it was difficult to biopsy tiny lesions that could not be detected during a manual breast exam. Finding the exact location of the lesion was a multi-step process, requiring a second mammogram, a directing needle and a subsequent trip to the operating room for a procedure that might have required general anesthesia. This entire scenario could have taken as long as four hours.

Improved technology changed all that.

With the new unit, two pictures are taken, creating a near three-dimensional image - taking advantage of our unique depth perception. It is not unlike those old stereoscopic photos of the Atlantic City boardwalk that were popular in years past. With the stereoscopic view, the biopsy needle can be placed much more accurately.

This instrument makes the process walk-in and walk-out. The imaging, biopsy and mass removal - if needed - are performed all in one step, usually in about 40 minutes. And with this technique, less breast tissue has to be removed.

For more information, call (609) 653-3900.

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