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Stanford Health Care

Techniques

Our Approach to Breast Imaging and Biopsy

The Stanford Breast Imaging and Biopsy team provides you with outstanding screening, diagnostic, surgical, and support services. As an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, our experts focus primarily on breast health, and cancerous and noncancerous breast disease, including breast cancer in women and men. We use the most advanced technology and give you the subspecialty expertise of Stanford's world-renowned Department of Radiology.

Our team performs about 10,000 screening and diagnostic mammograms for breast cancer annually and sees hundreds of patients who are already diagnosed and transferring their care to Stanford. Stanford offers medical and surgical oncology, radiation therapy, breast reconstruction, surviviorship care, and access to clinical trials in a compassionate, patient-centered environment.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR BREAST IMAGING & BIOPSIES

  • Breast cancer screening and detection expertise that comes from our exclusive focus on breast cancer and diagnostic experience.
  • Fewer tests and greater accuracy with techniques and expertise that ensure we correctly interpret your results to identify the best treatment plan for you.
  • Leaders in imaging innovation, including doctors who are renowned for developing new uses of MRI, digital mammography, and tomosynthesis.
  • Access to the latest imaging technology, including the latest MRI models, digital mammography, and ultrasound technology.
  • Integrated, collaborative care where we work weekly with your chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation doctors, when appropriate, to create your customized treatment plan.
  • Convenient locations and hours, providing high quality, advanced imaging services with evening and weekend hours for your busy schedule.

What Is Breast Imaging & Biopsy?

Image-Guided Biopsy Techniques

MRI core biopsy
Your radiologist uses an MRI machine to help guide a biopsy device to the site of the abnormal tissue. The radiologist then removes tissue samples with a hollow needle (called a core needle).

Stereotactic core biopsy
In this procedure, your radiologist uses special mammography X-rays to help guide a biopsy device to the site of the abnormal tissue. The radiologist then removes tissue samples with a hollow needle (called a core needle).

Ultrasound fine needle aspiration biopsy/core biopsy
Ultrasound images help your radiologist locate suspicious imaging findings, usually a breast mass. The radiologist then removes small tissue samples using a fine needle or a hollow needle (called a core needle) to collect cells for analysis.

Wire localization for surgery
In this minimally invasive pre-surgery procedure, your radiologist places a wire near the breast mass that needs to be removed. During surgery, the wire guides the surgeon to the location for accurate and complete removal.

At Stanford, we also use percutaneous image-guided placement of a Savi Scout reflector into the breast mass. This is a new, alternative technique for wire localization.

Our Clinics

Radiology
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology Stanford Medicine Imaging maintains the highest standards of clinical excellence in a caring environment.
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RELATED CLINICS

For a full list of diagnostic and imaging clinics, visit our clinic directory.