Stereotactic Localization for Breast Cancer Diagnoses

If the lesion cannot be felt by hand, a stereotactic needle biopsy can be done. Special equipment will take x-rays of your breast from different angles. This equipment enables the physician to place the needle precisely into the tumor, even if the tumor is as small as a pea. Calculations are done by a computer to find the exact spot of the lump.

In this procedure, you lie on your stomach. Your breast points down through a hole in the table. Your breast is flattened (compressed) so a good x-ray can be taken. A local anesthetic is used on your skin, although, some women do feel some pain.

After the biopsy, you will need to keep an ice pack on the biopsy site, but you can leave and go on with your day. The biopsy may leave a small scar.