We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Stereotactic Needle Biopsy?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,552
Share

A stereotactic needle biopsy is a type of breast biopsy which is conducted with the assistance of mammography to ensure that the biopsy sample is taken from the correct location. This procedure takes place in the radiology suite at a hospital or a clinic, and is usually performed by a radiologist who has specialized experience and training. It takes around an hour, and results can take a few days to several weeks, depending on whether the biopsy sample needs to be sent out for examination or not.

In a stereotactic needle biopsy, the patient remains awake while the breast to be biopsied is given a shot of local anesthetic. The patient lays on an exam table outfitted with a mammography machine, and several images are taken of the affected area. Then, a core needle or vacuum assisted biopsy device is placed, using the images to ensure that the tip of the needle is in the suspect area so that a useful sample is taken. Commonly, several biopsy samples are taken.

Stereotactic needle biopsies are performed when a suspicious area in the breast cannot be palpated by hand, but can be identified with mammography. This can happen when an abnormality in the breast is very small or deep inside the breast. Sometimes these growths are benign, or they may even be artifacts on an imaging study, meaning that they appear once as a result of faulty equipment, conditions, or placement and then disappear on future studies.

However, there's no way to tell from a single mammogram whether or not a suspicious area is an area of concern. As a result, a doctor may recommend biopsy to learn more about what is happening. Stereotactic needle biopsy is less invasive than a surgical biopsy in which a doctor performs surgery to access the area of concern, and it is extremely precise since it is guided with imaging equipment. This makes the procedure more pleasant for the patient and also makes it more likely to have useful results.

There are some risks to stereotactic needle biopsy. It can cause bleeding inside the breast, which may lead to complications for the patient. It also exposes the patient to risk of infection, just like any other puncture wound. Some studies have also suggested that performing a biopsy can increase the risk of spreading or “seeding” cancer cells with the tip of the needle, potentially causing problems with cancer treatment down the line. Patients should discuss the procedure's risks with their doctors and receive information about the experience of the radiologist, the complication rate experienced at the facility where the stereotactic needle biopsy is being performed, and when the results will be returned.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-stereotactic-needle-biopsy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.