Breast biopsy

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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living With Cancer

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Risks associated with a breast biopsy include:

  • Bruising and swelling of the breast
  • Infection or bleeding at the biopsy site
  • Altered breast appearance, depending on how much tissue is removed and how your breast heals
  • Additional surgery or other treatment, depending on biopsy results

Contact your doctor if you develop a fever, if the biopsy site becomes red or warm, or if you have unusual drainage from the biopsy site. These can be signs of an infection that may require prompt treatment.

A breast biopsy doesn't cause cancer cells to spread beyond the breast.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Valea FA, et al. Breast diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  2. James JJ, et al. The breast. In: Adam A, et al. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-10163-2..X5001-5--TOP&isbn=978-0-443-10163-2&uniqId=259733166-219. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  3. For women facing a breast biopsy. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003176-pdf.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  4. MRI-guided breast biopsy. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbimr. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  5. Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbius. Accessed June 21, 2011.
  6. Pathology reports. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/pathology-reports. Accessed June 21, 2011.
MY00301 Aug. 9, 2011

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