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What
is the test?
- For a surgical biopsy, the surgeon makes an incision in the
skin and removes all or part of the abnormal tissue for examination
under a microscope. Unlike needle biopsies, a surgical biopsy
leaves a visible scar on the breast and sometimes causes a noticeable
change in the breast's shape. It's a good idea to discuss the
placement and length of the incision with your surgeon beforehand.
Also ask your surgeon about scarring and the possibility of changes
to your breast shape and size after healing, as well as the choice
between local anesthesia and general anesthesia.
Sometimes an abnormal area will be seen on the mammogram that
clearly should be tested for cancer or completely removed from
the breast, but this area is not easily felt as a lump on examination.
The mammography department can help your surgeon to find the
area more easily by using a technique called "wire localization."
In this technique, the radiologists (who have had the benefit
of seeing the abnormal area on your mammograms) mark the abnormality
with a wire that is inserted under your skin into the area of
breast that is causing concern. Right afterward, the surgeon
can meet you in the operating room and can use the wire to find
the abnormal spot in your breast so that he or she can remove
it.
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