Page 65 - ICE BUSINESS TIMES February 2020

Does a breast biopsy hurt? Are there parts of the breast
that are more difficult to perform biopsy than others?
Yes, it’s quite normal to experience swelling or bruising after any
type of breast biopsy procedure. Generally, we recommend patients
not to undergo any strenuous or physical activities for about a few
days after the biopsy.

Should women expect some bruising and skin
discolouration from the procedure? Are there any general
restrictions or home care instructions after a breast
biopsy?
It all depends on what we’re trying to biopsy. Looking at the
mammogram or ultrasound findings, a qualified breast surgeon
infections and abscesses. The would be able to estimate what is the risk level for the lump to be
common age for breast cancer is cancerous. It could be anywhere from 10% to 70-80%.
usually in the 40s to 60+ age
group; the high-risk age group. Is there anything else that you think
women need to know about breast
Does family history have biopsies?
What are the common influence on breast cancer? I think women need to understand that, while
breast disorders? What Usually there is, if a family member What are the different types of breast biopsies and breast biopsies can be very easy to perform as a
age group of women are has breast cancer then the other how are they performed? minimally invasive method of removing lumps,
more prone to breast female members would be at a There are four general types of breast biopsies. The first two the truth remains that majority of the lumps do
cancer? higher risk than the general are, we sample the breasts and the other two, where we not need to be removed. If the tests have revealed
The common breast disorders population. The closer the family remove the entire lump or the portion of abnormal growth. the lumps to be benign or safe, it needs to be
we see for cancerous condi- member is, the higher the risk. In The first two methods i.e. the simpler ones are called fine unnecessarily removed, more so, it’s not likely to
tions would be pre-invasive the case of first degree relatives, the needle aspiration - biopsy - which is quite a simple method change into cancer in the next 10-20 years.
and invasive breast cancers. risk is higher; however, for second but not always 100% accurate. Hence, nowadays it’s
On the other hand, the degree relatives such as grand- surpassed by a much more comprehensive method called What surgical options do women diagnosed
non-cancerous ones are also mother or mother’s sister, the risk Core needle biopsy, which when performed correctly, can be with early-stage breast cancer have?
seen to be emerging more like may not be as significant. However, 100% accurate; both methods require a sample from the The number one option would be mastectomy;
Fibrosis where the develop- the point to consider is that 70% of lump. The third and fourth method are the ones involved in removal of the entire breast. Additionally, after
ment of small cysts occur the patients do not have a family the removal of the lump. Vacuum assisted biopsy is one of mastectomy, we can offer immediate breast
which are water filled lumps in history of breast cancer, hence it’s them which is similar to a keyhole surgery- which requires a reconstruction as we can keep the skin. More so,
the breasts; they are generally not a necessity. needle which has a vacuum function. The needle is inserted after the procedure, quite often the patients can
harmless but can lead to pain into the breast through ultrasound guidance and direct it to tell that a mastectomy has been performed. The
development. Women can also What are the treatment the abnormal lump area and then suck out the portion other option is lumpectomy but with that
develop a condition called options? What role do lymph completely. This is a very big advancement as it allows for radiation is almost always required. If we do not
fibroadenomas which are nodes play in the body? the removal of the lump with minimal scarring and no perform radiation, the risk of the cancer returning
non-cancerous tumors in the Treatment options depend on what stitches. The last method is the traditional open surgery is over 25%. However, the advantage is that the
breast which are not danger- type of cancer it is and what stage. biopsy to remove the abnormal growth or lump. So, our patient gets to keep the original form and
ous but can cause pain and Almost always, there will be some preferred method would be the core needle and the vacuum sensation of the breast.
thus might need to be removed kind of surgery done, accompanied assisted biopsy.
through surgery. Other less What are the advantages and
common conditions could be with chemotherapy, radiotherapy How do you decide which
and endocrine therapy. disadvantages of having a lumpectomy
Lymph nodes in our body play an procedure is best suited followed by radiation therapy?
immune function. So for breasts, the for your patients? However, the The advantages of having a mastectomy is that
lymph nodes in the underarm are So it depends on what type of point to there's no radiation required. After mastectomy,
responsible for recovery from abnormality it is. For instance, we’re not required to even perform mammograms
injuries or cuts in that area. some abnormalities are easily consider is that anymore. Psychologically, it’s very good for the
However, if there’s cancer in that seen in ultrasounds and we 70% of the patient, they worry less about the cancer probably
area, it can spread to the lymph can see in the ultrasound patients do not coming back in the same breast. The disadvan-
nodes; thus requiring removal of whether the growth is very have a family tage- even after reconstruction surgery, the
these lymph nodes. That’s why it’s deep or superficial or not. sensation is never quite the same as the original.
imperative that we try to detect However, if we’re talking about history of There will be a period where the patient needs to
breast cancer early before it spreads mammographic calcifications, breast cancer, undergo physical rehabilitation; this is dependent
to the nodes and less long term which are too near the chest or hence it’s not a on whether the lymph nodes have been complete-
complications from treatments. skin, technically it can be a necessity. ly removed or not.
little more challenging.

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