Breast cancer is suspected when a lump or thickening in a breast is felt during breast self-examination. Other symptoms that may lead to suspicion are lump in the armpit area, scaly skin on the breast, nipple discharges other than milk, nipple retraction or nipple inversion, reddening of breast skin, change in size or shape of a matured breast, nipple itching and breast pain. These symptoms do not always mean that there is cancer; but once any of these is detected, the person is strongly recommended to visit a doctor for examination. A doctor will confirm the presence of a lump by doing palpation. Palpation means feeling the entire breast. Imaging studies like ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be done. Mammography may even be recommended. Once confirmed, a doctor's only option is to recommend for the patient to undergo a breast biopsy.
This is the procedure where a sample tissue from the suspicious lump is taken. This can be done either by surgical (invasive) or non-surgical (non-invasive) means. In surgical biopsy, sample tissues are taken after an incision is made on the skin. Sometimes, if the lump is small, the entire lump may be removed. Non-surgical procedures include fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy and vacuum-assisted breast biopsy. Both fine needle aspiration biopsy and core needle biopsy employ the use of a needle to collect sample tissues. The needle used in core needle biopsy is however thicker and hallow. More samples are also extracted through this procedure. Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy uses a special instrument to remove samples. A probe is inserted and a vacuum is used to suck out breast tissues from where samples are taken. Insertion of probe is guided by imaging machines like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging or MRI.
A Breast biopsy can be done in a clinic or a hospital, depending on the size of the growth to be examined. For surgical procedures, local anesthesia or general anesthesia may be used. For non-surgical procedures, anesthesia may not be needed. At the most, local anesthesia will be used. These procedures can be done by doctors fast. Risk of complications such as infection is minimal. With or without anesthesia, patients may feel little to no pain at all. Pain or discomfort can be lessened by over-the-counter pain relievers.
Biopsy results range from normal to abnormal. A normal result would mean that there is no sign of cancer present. An abnormal result on the other hand would mean that the lump is either benign or malignant. Benign growths include non-cancerous disorders like cyst, papilloma, fat necrosis and adenofibroma. Malignant or cancerous growths include infiltrating ductal carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, colloid carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, sarcoma, medullary or circumscribed carcinoma and inflammatory carcinoma.
When the result of the breast biopsy shows that the lump is benign, no additional procedures are needed. Regular visits to the doctor for check up will just be recommended. If the procedure shows that the lump is malignant, the doctor may ask for further testing or immediately recommend treatment. It is advised that a second opinion be sought in order to be sure before rushing into any treatment procedures. As breast cancer is a serious matter, diagnostic procedures should also be taken seriously to avoid risks.
Breast cancer is a major concern for aging women. To learn about the breast ultrasound procedure please visit http://breastultrasound.org
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