Excisional (surgical) biopsy

This is a complete removal of a suspicious neoplasm in a small operation. It is the most aggressive method of breast neoplasm diagnostics. However, it allows to fully explore the neoplasm, identify its biological features, thus allowing to establish the correct diagnosis and formulate treatment strategy.

Indications for excisional biopsy:

  1. Inability to obtain enough breast tissue during the core-needle biopsy (the neoplasm is fairly small or located in an inconvenient place for a biopsy).
  2. Discrepancy between the results of radiological examinations (ultrasound, mammography, MRI) and trephine biopsy when the radiological signs are highly suspicious, however, an ordinary biopsy does not detect any pathology. 
  3. Suspicious changes in a benign neoplasm during the planned examinations. For example – rapid increase in size of a known breast fibroadenoma over a short period of time considering that the core-needle biopsy of the fibroadenoma was performed and no malignant cells were found. 
  4. Some changes in the breast, particularly atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia, papilloma and sclerosing conditions that increase the risk of breast cancer development or can accompany it. 

Excisional surgical biopsy is performed as a full-blown operation with general anesthesia while following the principles of oncoplastic surgery – hiding the incisions in less visible areas of the breasts and preserving the aesthetic appearance of the breasts without rough postoperative deformities. 

Rehabilitation following this type of surgical intervention takes a few days and does not require lifestyle changes or involvement of a rehabilitation specialist. 

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