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Breast Cancer Screenings and BiopsiesThe Hoffberger Breast Center works in concert with The Tyanna O'Brien Center for Women's Imaging at Mercy to provide the most advanced technologies and skilled clinicians for the most accurate diagnosis, communicated to patients as soon as possible. Screenings:
MammographyA mammogram is an x-ray of the breast where you stand and rest your breast on a plate. A second plate is lowered so that the two plates squeeze the breast and a series of x-ray pictures are taken. There are two different kinds of mammography. One is traditional x-ray, the other is digital mammography. Digital mammography varies in the way that the film or pictures are read. In digital mammography the pictures of the breast are sent directly to a computer, where the tech can lighten, darken, zoom in/out and rotate the angles of the photo. This enables the physician to get a more accurate picture of the breast tissue. Mercy’s Tyanna O’Brien Center for Women’s Imaging offers digital mammography. More information on mammography
UltrasoundAn ultrasound exam is a non-invasive test that helps the physician to make a more accurate diagnosis. Pictures are taken of the breast in real time, while showing blood flow and movement. This is valuable for determining what type of breast abnormality is present. Evaluating blood flow and movement in the breast can assist in the diagnosis of cancers, cysts, calcifications and other conditions because an abnormality behaves differently in the breast tissue. Most often ultrasounds are ordered by the physician because it gives a more detailed picture of the breast. Breast ultrasound is offered at The Tyanna O'Brien Center for Women's Imaging at Mercy. More information on breast ultrasound
MRIBreast MRI is an imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to make computer images of internal body organs. This method of testing is used as a complimentary tool to mammography and gives a deeper picture of the breast tissue. MRIs are often used in detecting and staging breast cancer. MRIs are also used to monitor a patient’s response to chemotherapy. An MRI exam typically lasts 30+ minutes and is completed by lying on your stomach on the scanning table. The breasts are suspended in a cushioned depression in the scanning table and you would be asked to lie still for the duration of the test. A breast MRI generates approximately 2500 images, which may require a significant amount of time for the physician to interpret the results of each image. Breast MRI is offered at The Tyanna O'Brien Center for Women's Imaging at Mercy.
Minimally Invasive Breast BiopsiesMost abnormalities in the breast can be visualized on either an ultrasound or a mammogram. When there is an abnormality detected on one of these tests, your doctor may perform a biopsy to test whether or not the abnormality is a cancer. This is a minor procedure and is performed either in the surgeon’s office or the radiology suite. The device used to obtain the biopsy can either be a large hollow needle called a core biopsy needle or a special device with vacuum attachment, called a Mammotome. There are a few different biopsies that can be performed for further testing. They are Ultrasound-guided core biopsy, Stereotactic biopsy using the Mammotome, and MRI-guided biopsy. All of these procedures are performed in concert with Mercy's Tyanna O'Brien Center for Women's Imaging. See drawing to demonstrate the biopsy or lumpectomy procedure
Needle Localization ProceduresIf a biopsy yields a diagnosis of cancer or precancerous (“high-risk”) lesion, surgery is usually then recommended to totally remove the area of abnormality. If the abnormality is not palpable (cannot be felt on physical exam) it is often necessary to perform a needle localization procedure. Needle localization may also be performed if ultrasound-guided, stereotactic, or MRI-guided biopsies have been unsuccessful at obtaining a diagnosis or are technically unable to be performed. The goal of this procedure is to place a thin wire into the breast, directing it to the exact site of abnormality. The surgeon is then able to follow the wire into the breast and remove only the tissue containing the area of concern. On the day of surgery, before going to the operating room, the radiologist performs the needle localization procedure in the women’s imaging suite. In some cases, the needle localization may be performed by the surgeon in the operating room. Needle localizations may be performed using mammographic, ultrasound or MRI guidance and this decision depends on your particular case and is determined by consultation of the radiologist and surgeon together.
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