How Should Patients Prepare for Large Core Biopsy?
As with any surgical procedure, patients are typically given detailed instructions by their physician and anesthesiologist in advance of the day of their biopsy. Often, patients will be told to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medications that prolong bleeding for five to seven days prior to the biopsy. Patients should also ask their physicians if they should discontinue using blood thinners prior to the biopsy. On the day of the large core biopsy, women should wear a comfortable two piece garment. Patients should not wear talcum powder, deodorant, lotion, or perfume under their arms or on their breasts on the day of the biopsy. How is Large Core Biopsy Performed? As with any biopsy procedure, the breast is first cleaned. During the large core biopsy (ABBI) procedure, local anesthetic is injected while the breast is maintained in compression. A wire is then guided into the breast lesion using stereotactic mammography. Next, a narrow tube with a cutting device (a cannula, also called
