Diagnostic/Minimally Invasive Services

DIAGNOSTIC/MINIMALLY INVASIVE SERVICESNEEDLE BIOPSIES generally preferred over operative biopsies, these are done with local anesthesia and take a small amount of tissue while using image guidance, to make a diagnosis of benign or malignant breast disease. They may be done in one of our offices with ultrasound guidance, or for certain imaging abnormalities, at a hospital using mammography (stereotactic needle biopsy).

EXCISIONAL BIOPSY done in the operating room when a needle biopsy cannot be obtained or is inconclusive, this surgical procedure removes a palpable or imaging abnormality for diagnosis.

LUMPECTOMY removes just the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy is usually recommended following lumpectomy done for cancer to reduce recurrence rates.

DUCT EXCISION often performed for abnormal nipple discharge or a small growth inside a milk duct, this outpatient procedure removes the last portion of a few or all of the ducts. ONCOPLASTIC SURGERY an innovative approach to the treatment of breast cancer, it encompasses plastic surgical techniques in order to reshape the remaining breast or reconstruct the breast after excision of a malignancy. It may also include correcting any imbalance relative to the unaffected breast.

WIRE OR NEEDLE/RADIOACTIVE SEED LOCALIZATION a procedure done to localize or target the abnormal area in the breast when it cannot be felt on examination; it may be performed by your surgeon or a radiologist prior to your surgery, although it can be, at times, performed intraoperatively.