What is a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy (SBB)?
SBB is an x-ray-guided biopsy procedure utilizing the most accurate biopsy technique. Ethicon's Mammotome® vacuum-assisted biopsy device obtains contiguous segments of tissue, from the mammary gland or breast, to be removed in a specific direction via a needle approximately 3 mm in thickness.

When is a Stereotactic Breast Biopsy used?
The procedure is used to obtain a more precise diagnosis of suspicious tissue changes (e.g. microcalcifications, focal findings) which have been located in the mammary gland by mammography or ultrasound.

How is the system applied?
The patient lies in a comfortable prone position on a stereotactic table. The breast to be examined hangs down through an aperture. It is mammographed there in compressed form and the suspicious site is located via digital stereotactic x-ray. The biopsy needle is aimed at the suspected site with computer guidance and placed in the center of the segment of tissue to be examined.

Why is this application minimally invasive?
The Mammotome® needle is introduced via a tiny skin nick into the patient's breast, where it remains during the entire biopsy. The incision does not need to be sutured. The risk of scarring is thus very small. The entire procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis under simple local anesthetic.

How is a microcalcified site removed today?
The surgeon makes a skin incision of about 2-3 cm and works along a previously-introduced wire up to the site to be examined. The tissue is excised under general anesthesia with a safety margin of about 1 cm.

Why is early detection of breast cancer so important?
Microcalcified sites are an important early warning sign of malignancy in the mammary gland. Some 80% of these calcium accumulations are benign. For this reason, a minimally-invasive procedure is justified.

Is a biopsy with the Mammotome® needle accurate?
The autoguide function of the needle ensures an almost 100% strike accuracy into the lesion. With the aid of instantaneous digital imaging, the biopsy can be localized and checked in a matter of seconds.

How long does the procedure take?
Removal of the tissue samples takes about 20 minutes. Afterwards, the patient is often requested to keep tight pressure on her breast for about 20 minutes while lying down.

How painful is the treatment?
A local anesthetic is applied to the incision and biopsy site. The patient feels no pain.

Are there any side-effects?
The treatment is generally free of side effects. In some cases, "black & blue" discolorations may occur in the region of the biopsy. Every such operation involves a risk of infection.

Will my health insurance pay for the treatment?
In most cases, your health insurance should cover at least part or all of your biopsy procedure. Please check with your Health Insurance provider prior to having your biopsy.

Where is Mammotome® vacuum biopsy available?
Check with your doctor to find out which hospital or private practice in your area offers UMS's Mammotome® biopsy service as an innovative form of treatment.

This information is provided to you as a public service, and is in no way meant to replace or supersede the information or advice provided from a qualified health care professional.

Stereotactic Patient Information