Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue, fluid, or cells from the body for examination in a lab to look for cancer cells.

There are several types of breast biopsy procedures. The type of biopsy performed will depend upon the location and size of the breast lump or abnormality.

Types of breast biopsy procedures include:

• Stereotactic biopsy -  uses computer-aided equipment to guide a needle to a precise area to extract very small tissue samples. No incision is necessary.
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy  - a very thin needle is placed into the lump or suspicious area to remove a small sample of fluid and/or tissue. No incision is necessary. A fine needle aspiration biopsy may be performed to help to differentiate a cyst from a lump.
• Core needle biopsy  - a large needle is guided into a lump or suspicious area to remove a small cylinder of tissue (also called a core). No incision is necessary.
• Surgical biopsy (also called an open biopsy) - a surgeon removes part or all of a lump or suspicious area through an incision into the breast. There are two types of surgical biopsies. During an incisional biopsy, a small part of the lump is removed; whereas during an excisional biopsy, the entire lump is removed.
• Sentinel node biopsy - determines if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This procedure involves injecting a dye and/or radioactive substance near the tumor. This injection helps to locate the lymph node closest to the tumor (sentinel node)—the one that is most likely to have cancer cells present if the cancer has spread. That lymph node is then surgically removed. 

In some cases, if the breast lump is very small, deep, and difficult to locate, a technique called wire localization may be used during surgery. With this technique, a special wire is placed into the lump under x-ray guidance. The surgeon follows this wire to help locate the breast lump.

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