Experience has shown core biopsy to have many advantages over open needle-localization biopsy:

•It is an office procedure that requires the use of only skin anesthesia.

•The patient does not experience discomfort during the procedure, and there is no scarring afterwards.

•Stereotactic core biopsy costs one-third of what is charged for a surgical biopsy.

•Pathologic examination of a core biopsy provides all of the information, including the extent of an intraductal component, for example, that allows better planning for the definitive operation.
Stereo Guide

Re-excision of a positive biopsy site is more accurate because there is less reaction and hematoma than is the case with a needle-localization biopsy.

Also, this procedure can be done on the same day that the patient presents with an abnormal mammogram and yet she may return to her normal routine immediately following, with little or no discomfort. The table is ergonomically designed to offer a more comfortable prone position for the patient (as opposed to vertical positioning with an upright unit) and the all digital process eliminates the time consuming requirements of a film technique.

Use of the StereoGuide System for in-office core biopsy of suspicious mammographic lesions could eventually replace 95 percent of needle directed open surgical biopsies. It is not only a less invasive procedure for the patient, but with the increasing number of mammographic abnormalities requiring diagnosis, the cost savings to the health care system will be enormous. As the public becomes more aware of this procedure, every patient needing biopsy of a suspicious breast mass should have the optionof having stereotactic biopsy whenever appropriate.


For more detailed information on Core Biopsy go to the Journal of Surgery article or the Breast Imaging article on our site.