Why might a woman have a breast biopsy?

Breast biopsy consists of sampling of mammary gland tissue
that will then be examined under a microscope to see if it is a breast
cancer.

A breast biopsy is indicated at the time when
 mammography or ultrasound have discovered a tumor or when clinical examination
has discovered a breast lump.

There are several ways used
for a breast biopsy. A piece of tissue is examined under a microscope to see if cancer
cells are found:

- Fine-needle aspiration: the method
consists of a small needle that stings the skin. Tumor tissues will be harvested for the
microscope analysis. Aspiration may be necessary to see if it's a solid formation or a
liquid (a cyst). If it is a cyst, it will disappear after the liquid has been extracted.
If there is not a cyst, another type of biopsy is
necessary.

- Puncture-biopsy: such a type of biopsy can be
done using a suction device that extracts in a gentle manner a greater portion of the
tumor tissue.

- Guided biopsy: which is used in case of a
formation that it is not felt to the touch but is seen by mammography or
ultrasound.

- Open-biopsy: which is done through an
incision in the breast and a piece of tissue or whole tumor will
be removed.