MRI-guided biopsy provides a less invasive option to surgery
Lumps or abnormalities in the breast are often detected by physical examination, mammography, or other imaging studies. However, it is not always possible to tell from these imaging tests whether a growth is benign or cancerous.
A MRI-guided biopsy is performed when the area of suspicion is in the breast and too small, making it difficult to locate the lesion by hand.
During the MRI-guided breast biopsy the images help guide the radiologist’s instruments to the site of the abnormal growth. Tissue is removed from a suspicious area in the breast and sent to a pathologist to determine a diagnosis. This procedure is less invasive than surgery and does not remove the entire lesion. However, it may remove most of a very small lesion through the biopsy process.
Find out more
Read our Fast Facts for answers to your questions.
- What will my MRI-guided biopsy be like?
- How do I prepare for an MRI-guided biopsy?
- My doctor told me I needed to get more tests. Why?
- What are some of the risk factors associated with breast cancer?
- Why is early detection so important?
