Determining Benign or Malignant

When a physician detects a lump or abnormality, it is important to find out if it is benign or malignant.  A mammography can detect a lump in the breast, but it cannot discern between malignant and benign lumps.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may uncover more details about abnormalities first discovered on a mammogram.  An ultrasound can distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass. Fluid-filled lumps are usually benign.  However, a solid mass has a greater chance of being a cancerous tumor.

A biopsy is the only way to ensure a lump is not cancerous.  A sample of cells or tissue is removed from the lump.  Sometimes the entire lump is removed.  A pathologist will examine the sample under a microscope to check for signs of cancer.  There are three different types of biopsy: fine-needle aspiration, cone needle, and surgical.  The type of biopsy depends on several factors including, the size and location of the abnormality.  Physicians prefer to use the least invasive method.

 

• Fine-needle aspiration

Fine-needle aspiration is the removal of fluid or some cells from the lump using a thin needle. It is the least invasive method available.  This method is most often performed on abnormalities detected during a clinical breast examination. Fine-needle aspiration is best for distinguishing between a fluid-filled cyst and a solid mass.

 

• Cone needle

Removal of tissue using a wider needle or newer instruments is called a cone needle procedure. This is the most common method used for lumps detected on mammography or another imaging study.

 

• Surgical

If needle biopsy findings are inconclusive, then a surgical biopsy may be needed to obtain greater amounts of tissue. During the surgery, the entire lump and a rim of normal breast tissue around it maybe removed. Removal of the entire lump is called a    lumpectomy, which is a form of breast cancer treatment.