Parkway Hospital offering stereotactic breast biopsy

The New Parkway Hospital announced that it is now offering minimally invasive, computer-assisted, stereotactic percutaneous breast biopsy. Stereotactic breast biopsy is an alternative to open or surgical biopsy.
A sample of suspect breast tissue is precisely located with a computer-guided imaging system and removed with a needle. This procedure is completed on an outpatient basis with a minimal amount of discomfort and recovery time.
Dr. Girish Desai, Parkway’s executive vice president of medical affairs, indicated that “there is a common misconception that breast cancer can be diagnosed from a mammogram; the mammogram only illustrates possible abnormalities which may require further evaluation.”
Approximately 10 percent of women are asked to return for an extra mammography view or ultrasound of a particular area. When these tests confirm a suspicious finding, a biopsy of the tissue is required to determine if cancer is present. Although, 70-80 percent of abnormalities found on a mammography are benign, a biopsy is the only way to sure.
Stereotactic breast biopsy is a new technology that allows physicians to precisely and accurately sample tissue from a suspected abnormality, found on a mammogram, without surgery. Since the majority of women with an abnormal mammogram do not have breast cancer, stereotactic breast biopsy spares most women the discomfort and scarring associated with surgical breast biopsy. Compared to surgery, stereotactic breast biopsy is “quicker, less painful, and less costly,” Dr. Desai said adding, “There are fewer complications, and the procedure requires minimal recovery time,” he added.
The entire biopsy is obtained through a tiny nick in the skin no more than 5mm in size. There is no need for sutures; doctors simply tape a small dressing to the site. Normally, the site heals within days and there is no evidence of a biopsy.
Stereotactic breast biopsy allows women found to have breast cancer the opportunity to receive pre-operative counseling and arrive at a plan before undergoing surgery.