Did you know? Breast cancer biopsy results are available quickly on the same day.

Breast Cancer is considered one of the serious diseases that claim the lives of many women worldwide each year. In reality, if detected early, there is a very high chance of complete cure. However, most cases are found when the lump is already large and starting to spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, making treatment and disease control difficult.

Nowadays, breast cancer diagnosis is more accurate, especially with biopsy procedures. At Phyathai 3 Hospital, results can be analyzed quickly within 3 days. More specially, urgent biopsy results can be obtained within 24 hours, allowing patients to know their results faster without prolonged worry, leading to quicker and more effective treatment planning.

If suspicious, get a breast cancer biopsy

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor located under the breast. Generally, breast cancer patients fall into two groups: those who come with breast symptoms such as a palpable lump or other symptoms like bleeding from the breast, nipple retraction, skin dimpling on the breast, or ulcers on the breast area. The other group has no symptoms but is detected during annual health check-ups through screening with mammograms and breast ultrasounds, revealing suspicious lesions. Doctors will then diagnose and decide whether and when a biopsy should be performed for confirmation.

Is a breast cancer biopsy scary? What are the steps?

A biopsy is not scary and does not require general anesthesia. Only local anesthesia is injected, then either “mammogram” or “ultrasound” is used to precisely locate the suspicious lump, which is currently the most accurate method. A needle, about the size of a small milk straw, is then used to cut and remove tissue samples. The needle mark is small, about no more than 2 millimeters. The entire procedure takes about 1 hour. The tissue sample, which looks like a small thread, is sent for pathological examination under a microscope in the lab to determine if it is cancerous. Normally, results take about 3 days, but at Phyathai 3 Hospital, urgent results can be requested within 24 hours, greatly reducing patient anxiety. If cancer is confirmed, treatment planning can proceed quickly.

Are there risks in breast cancer biopsy?

The main risk to be cautious about is in patients taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, which must be stopped at least 5-7 days before the procedure. Besides that, the accuracy of biopsy results and other serious complications depend on the size and location of the lump and the radiologist’s expertise. If the lesion is very small or the operator is inexperienced, errors may occur, such as failing to obtain the desired tissue sample. If the lump is close to the chest wall, the needle might accidentally penetrate the pleural cavity, causing harm. However, when performed by experts, the procedure is safe.

Advantages of breast cancer biopsy at Phyathai 3 Hospital

• Specialist breast cancer doctors are available for consultation daily
• Radiologists are ready to diagnose every day without long waiting times
• Biopsy is performed by experienced specialist radiologists, ensuring accurate results
• Results are available within 3 days, with urgent results available within 24 hours (additional cost), reducing patient anxiety and enabling quick and effective treatment planning

A breast cancer biopsy is not as frightening as many think. It provides certainty and relieves anxiety about whether one has cancer. If cancer is confirmed, treatment planning can begin sooner and be more effective. Without a biopsy, if surgery is chosen for tissue diagnosis, a second surgery may be needed if cancer is found, or the surgical wound for biopsy may complicate future surgical planning for breast cancer treatment.

However, more important than biopsy is regularly observing your own symptoms, performing self-breast exams, or undergoing annual breast cancer screening, especially for those aged 40 and above. Those with a family history of breast cancer may start screening earlier. Early detection, diagnosis, and timely treatment increase the chances of complete recovery from breast cancer.