Understanding Breast Changes, Part 4

by National Cancer Institute

(Page 4 of 4)

Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Doctors use ultrasound to guide the needle during the biopsy. This method is used when lumps are hard to feel on a breast exam or see on a mammogram.

Stereotactic core needle biopsy localizationx. A three-dimensional (3-D) x-ray guides a biopsy needle to a lump or other change that cannot be felt on a breast exam. With one type of equipment, you lie face down on an exam table with a hole in it. The hole allows your breast to hang below the table, where the x-ray machine and needle are. Or, special equipment can be attached to a standard mammogram machine to x-ray your breast from two angles.

Surgical Biopsy

A surgical biopsy is an operation to remove part or all of the breast lump. Most of the time, you have the biopsy and go home the same day. Sometimes a doctor will do a surgical biopsy as the first step. Other times, a doctor may do a surgical biopsy if the results of a needle biopsy do not give enough information.

Sometimes, a needle is used to guide a surgical biopsy. A mammogram or ultrasound is used to find breast changes that cannot be felt. Once the breast change is found, a radiologist puts a needle into the breast so that the tip of the needle is at the area of breast change (called needle localization). Then a fine wire is placed through the needle. The needle may be removed and the wire stays in place. You may be asked to walk to another room or to the operating room for the biopsy. During surgery, the doctor uses the tip of the wire as a guide to what tissue to take out.

Getting Your Biopsy Results

On average, you should get your biopsy results from your doctor 7 to 10 days after your biopsy.

The biopsy results will tell your doctor if you have:

• Benign breast changes
• Changes that may increase your chances of getting breast cancer
• Cancer cells in the lining of your breast ducts
• Cancer cells that have spread into nearby breast tissue

Here are more detailed descriptions of biopsy results.

Benign Changes

• Fibroadenomas — Hard, round lumps that feel like rubber
• Fat necrosis — Painless, round, firm lumps
• Sclerosing adenosis — Growths that may contain calcifications and are often painful

Your health care provider will probably suggest that you get follow-up care for these types of benign changes.

Two types of changes that may increase your chances of getting breast cancer

• Abnormal cells found in the breast ducts (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia, or ADH)
• Abnormal cells found in the breast lobules (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ, or LCIS)

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH) or Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

ADH and LCIS are not cancer. However, having ADH or LCIS in one breast does mean that you have a higher risk of getting cancer in either breast. Your doctor will want to follow your breast health very closely if you have ADH or LCIS. For example, your doctor may suggest that you:

• Get more mammograms or see him or her more often

• Take a drug, called tamoxifen, which has been shown to lower some women's risk of getting breast cancer

• Take part in clinical trials of promising new preventive treatments. In a cancer prevention trial, a large group of people is studied to help find better ways of preventing or lowering the chances of getting cancer.

A very small number of women with LCIS have surgery to remove both their breasts. They do this to try to keep breast cancer from developing. Talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

Cancer Cells Found in the Lining of the Ducts (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ or DCIS)

DCIS is a condition in which cancer cells are only found inside the lining of a breast duct. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct to the surrounding breast tissue. Therefore, most women with DCIS are cured with treatment. However, if not treated, DCIS sometimes spreads to other parts of the breast (also called invasive breast cancer). Your doctor may discuss some of these treatment choices for DCIS:

• Getting breast-sparing surgery (the surgeon removes only your cancer and some normal tissue around it) with radiation therapy
• Getting breast-sparing surgery without radiation therapy
• Getting a total mastectomy (surgery to remove the entire breast)
• Taking the drug tamoxifen after surgery and radiation to lower the chances of the cancer coming back

Getting a Second Opinion

You can ask to have another pathologist review your biopsy results. This is important because biopsy results determine treatment(s) for breast changes and diseases. Ask your medical team to help you with this process.

Cancer That Is Invasive

Even if you have breast cancer that has spread to other parts of your breast, finding it early gives you the best chance to get treatment that may save your breasts and your life. It's also true that women with breast cancer that has spread have reasons for hope.

Some women with breast cancer may want to take part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies to find better ways to treat cancer. Some studies on new cancer-fighting drugs, drug combinations, and ways of giving treatment have already begun to show good results.

About the Author

www.nci.nih.gov
The National Cancer Institute's research programs are extensive and contain many innovative initiatives. I invite you to explore our Web site to find out more about the exciting work being conducted here at NCI and by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country.