Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Calcification & Biopsy of the Breast
A stereotactic breast biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses magnified high-resolution radiology imaging and triangulation to localize abnormal findings called calcifications in 3D. To produce these images, a special X-ray tube inside the stereotactic table takes low-dose radiology images of the calcifications from various angles.
Radiologists specializing in women's imaging look for subtle tissue changes in the breast. These changes may be as obvious as a mass or as subtle as tiny white spots as small as grains of sand called microcalcifications. The term "microcalcifications" refers to the microscopic size of deposits composed of many kinds of minerals, not just calcium.
When calcifications are noted on a screening mammogram, you will need a diagnostic mammogram that uses a specialized mammogram technique called "magnification." The mammogram machine is fitted with a "magnification stand," which changes the focal spot of the mammogram and allows fine details in the breast, like calcifications, to be magnified. Although the mechanism is different, you can think of the process as similar to a "magnifying glass for the breast."
When Do You Need a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy?
The appearance of breast calcifications, the distribution, and any other associated findings may signal early changes in the breast tissue. Signs that may indicate breast tissue changes can include:
Masses
Lumps
Calcifications
Abnormal tissue
We know that some patterns of calcifications are more suspicious than others. For example, diffusely scattered vague calcifications throughout the breasts are usually benign (noncancerous). However, other patterns, such as irregular microcalcifications forming a small tight cluster or growing along a larger segment of the breast, may suggest an early pathologic (atypical, precancer, or cancerous) abnormality.
A specialized radiologist with many years of training in women's imaging or breast imaging interprets the magnified images to distinguish the different patterns of calcifications and whether there are any associated findings. Some patterns of calcifications can be followed, while others may require a needle biopsy to determine if they are benign or cancerous, or in between (atypical or precancerous). Calcifications are described and categorized by the American College of Radiology under a special lexicon called the Breast Imaging–Reporting and Data System, called BI-RADS for short.
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What to Expect With a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
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Frequently Asked Questions About Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
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