Breast Health Diagnosis and Treatment 101

Diagnosis

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

The first lymph node in a lymph node bed to receive drainage from a tumor site.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

We are the only ACR accredited facility in Pensacola for stereotactic breast biopsy. This procedure is an alternative to surgery and being put to sleep. A stereotactic breast biopsy is a test that uses a special computer to guide a needle to an abnormality seen on mammography. A large percentage of these abnormalities are benign and present no health risks. This biopsy is a non-invasive, accurate way to obtain the tissue sample required for diagnosis. The patient returns the following day and gets the results of their biopsy. Many patients are finding this a great alternative to having a surgical biopsy.

Needle Biopsy

Removal of tissue or suspensions of cells from living patients through a small needle for diagnostic examination.

Needle Localization

The role of this procedure is to help the surgeon pinpoint the correct area in your breast for biopsy. This is done by placing some dye and a small wire at the point of the abnormality.

Ultrasound Biopsy

Ultrasound is an excellent way to evaluate breast abnormalities detected by mammography. Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy is a highly accurate way to evaluate suspicious masses within the breast that are visible on ultrasound, whether or not they can be felt on breast self-examination or clinical examination. The procedure prevents the need to remove tissue surgically and also eliminates the radiation exposure that comes from using x-rays to locate a mass. After placing an ultrasound probe over the site of the breast lump and using local anesthesia, the radiologist guides a biopsy needle directly into the mass. Tissue specimens are then taken using either an automatic spring-loaded or vacuum-assisted device (VAD).

Treatments

Axillary Dissection

Removal of numerous nodes around the axillary (below the shoulder joint) veins which receive the lymphatic drainage from the upper limb, scapular region and pectoral region (including mammary gland); they drain into the subclavian trunk.

Cyst Aspiration

In breast cyst aspiration, your doctor uses a small needle to drain fluid from a cyst.

Lumpectomy

The surgical removal of a small tumor (a lump). Lumpectomy generally refers to the removal of a lump from the breast as an alternative to mastectomy, the removal of the entire breast including the lump.

Needle Aspiration

The removal of living tissue for microscopic examination by suction through a fine needle attached to a syringe. The procedure is used primarily to obtain cells from a lesion containing fluid.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from the placement of thin plastic tubes containing radiation (radioisotopes) into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy).

Radiation therapy is standard treatment for many types of cancer. It may be used in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy.