Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy
This is an excisional biopsy procedure of the breast. During Breast Lump Excision procedure the surgeon will make an incision in skin for removing all or part of abnormal breast tissue for examination under a microscope. However, surgical biopsy unlike needles will leave a visible scar on breast & sometimes even cause noticeable changes in the shape of breast. The patient should therefore discuss length & placement of incision with the surgeon prior to undergoing surgery. You should also ask the surgeon about scarring & possible changes in the size & shape of breast after treatment. Choice between local & general anesthesia should also be discussed with the surgeon during initial consultation.
Preparing for Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy
You will have to undergo a breast examination & possibly a mammogram prior to undergoing biopsy in order to determine where the lump is located. You will be asked not to eat anything after midnight on the day before surgery if you would be receiving a sedative with local anesthesia or general anesthesia during the operation. Let your surgeon know if you are taking NSAIDs, insulin or any other medications which can affect blood clotting because you may either have to adjust or stop taking these medications prior to undergoing the test.During the Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy Procedure
Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy procedure is performed in an operating room. IV line is placed in the patient’s arm for receiving medication through it. The surgeon may either decide to us local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia so as to relax the patient during operation. Breast Lump Excision procedure generally takes about 60 minutes of time & the following recovery period about two hours of time.
Open biopsy which only removes a part of the lump of suspicious tissue is known as Incisional Biopsy. Removing the entire suspected breast lump is known as Excisional Biopsy. Incisional Biopsy is usually performed when the lump is too large because removing a large portion of lump can dramatically alter appearance of breast. Incisional Biopsy is only appropriate for securing a diagnosis for larger lumps while minimizing effect on the appearance of lumps. Remaining portion of the lump can be removed during a second surgical procedure if the biopsy proves to be cancerous. The second surgical procedure may be extensive & even involve removal of lymph nodes in order to determine if the cancer has spread further.
Risks Involved in Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy Procedure
The patient will have a short scar in shape of a line following Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy procedure. Depending upon the size & amount of the tissue removed & the location, there also may be some distortion in the shape of the breast. You can also feel some amount of swelling & soreness close to the sight of surgery for a few days. Risks associated with local anesthesia or even general anesthesia is much lower for Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy procedure than for other types of surgery since anesthesia during this operation is not used for a long period of time & the operation itself is only little more than skin deep.
Recovery Following Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy
Vitality Health Services staff will monitor you for a few hours after Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy procedure in order to make sure that you are recovering well without any adverse reactions to anesthesia. In case you develop fever, bleeding or strong pain at the incision site you should immediately contact the doctor. You will also have to return for a follow-up visit so that the doctor can remove stitches & ensure that you are properly recovering.
Results of Breast Lump Excision / Biopsy Procedure
The final report typically takes 3 to 4 days’ time. But a preliminary report from the pathologist can be made available to you when the surgery is over.