Breast biopsy

This essential procedure enables an accurate and rapid diagnosis to be made as part of the management of breast conditions. Whether to assess a suspicious lump or to confirm a diagnosis, a biopsy is a minimally invasive technique that helps our medical teams determine the best course of treatment. Find out here everything you need to know about how this examination is carried out, when it is recommended, and the measures taken to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the process.

Further information

If an abnormality is detected during your breast examination, further investigation will be required in the form of one or more biopsies, which will enable us to determine the nature of the abnormality. However, this does not automatically mean that it is cancer. In most cases, the abnormalities are benign.

Depending on the nature of the abnormality, we will decide whether to carry out a micro- or macro-biopsy. It is therefore important that the breast specialist has access to your medical records before the examination.

You do not need to fast.
No special preparation is required.
If you wish, you can take arnica granules (one day before and three days after) to reduce the likelihood of bruising.
If you are taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, please let us know and discuss this with your doctor. It may sometimes be necessary to temporarily stop your treatment.
If you have any allergies (to xylocaine, adrenaline, plasters, etc.), please also let us know.

You will be lying down or sitting during the examination.
If the examination is carried out under mammographic guidance, the breast will be compressed throughout the procedure.
After administering a local anaesthetic, the doctor will make a small incision: you may feel a pinching sensation.
You will hear a clicking sound, or the sound of the biopsy gun if a microbiopsy is being performed. On average, four samples are taken.
If a macrobiopsy is being performed, you are more likely to hear a suction sound. In this case, around twelve samples are taken.
After the biopsy, a clip is sometimes applied.
This is a metal marker measuring a few millimetres. It causes no pain and does not lead to any complications. The clip serves to mark the site of the biopsy for follow-up (or during the pre-operative phase).
At the end of the procedure, the wound is closed with simple Steri-Strips, covered with a waterproof dressing which you must wear for four days.
The procedure takes 15 to 60 minutes and is generally very well tolerated.
If you wish, you can have a virtual hypnosis session during the biopsy.

You may have a shower; however, do not have a bath.
Avoid doing any sport on the first day.

Make an appointment with your doctor within 8 to 10 days of the biopsy.

Complications are very rare.

You may experience pain, slight bleeding and, in exceptional cases, haemorrhage or infection. A haematoma and a small lump may develop at the biopsy site after the procedure. This is completely normal and will disappear within a few weeks.
If you experience pain, take Dafalgan (500 mg Dafalgan tablets, 3 to 6 per day).
To help the haematoma resolve, you are advised to take Arnica granules (homeopathic). 9 CH, 5 granules under the tongue, 4 times a day for 4 days.
If the wound is bleeding: apply firm pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, or for as long as necessary to stop the bleeding.
Avoid strenuous physical activity (sport) for two days.
The dressing must remain in place for 4 days; it is waterproof and you can shower (or have a bath) whilst wearing it.
Do not forget to resume taking your anticoagulants/antiplatelet medication if you have stopped taking them.

However, if you have any concerns whatsoever, please contact the breast clinic on 02/ 434 81 95.