Procedures to study a breast lump

Imaging tests

Learning more about a breast lump may involve:

• Diagnostic mammogram. This specialized breast X-ray shows breast changes. It takes X-ray pictures from several angles.
• Breast ultrasound. Sound waves show pictures of the inside of the breast on a screen. Ultrasound imaging can show whether a breast lump is solid or filled with fluid.
• Breast MRI. An MRI uses a magnet and radio waves to make pictures of the inside of a breast. A breast MRI may help when the diagnosis isn't clear. Before a breast MRI, you might have a dye put into a vein in an arm. The dye helps tissues and blood vessels show up better on the MRI pictures.

Breast biopsy

This test involves a healthcare professional removing a tissue sample for study under a microscope. Ultrasound or mammography might help guide the needle. There might be a medicine to numb the area, called a local anesthetic.

Breast biopsy options include:

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A healthcare professional uses a thin needle with a device to withdraw cells and fluid, called a syringe.
• Core needle biopsy. A healthcare professional uses a larger needle with a special tip to remove a sample of breast tissue.
• Stereotactic biopsy. Mammography makes pictures of the area in question from several angles, called stereo images. A healthcare professional then removes a sample of breast tissue with a needle.
• Vacuum-assisted biopsy. A healthcare professional uses a probe connected to a vacuum device to remove a small sample of breast tissue.
• Surgical excisional biopsy. A surgeon makes a small cut in the skin and breast tissue to remove part of or the whole lump.

Most often the radiologist doing the breast biopsy leaves a tiny clip or marker where the sample came from. This makes the area stand out on later imaging tests and marks the site for later surgery if it's needed.

After a biopsy, the tissue sample goes to a lab for study. A healthcare professional explains the results.