Breast Cancer

MR-Guided Breast Biopsy

Mayo Clinic radiologists were among the first to perform breast biopsies guided in real time by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The technology streamlines the diagnostic process by allowing the radiologist to take the biopsy in the MR suite. MR-guided breast biopsy costs less than a surgical biopsy, can be completed in less than an hour and has few complications.

MR-guided breast biopsy may be used:

• When MRI examinations reveal findings of concern
• When ultrasound or mammogram (stereotactic) guided biopsy is not appropriate because the area of concern is not shown clearly by mammography or ultrasound
• When an abnormality is seen only on breast MRI and cannot be visualized by ultrasound or mammogram

Breast biopsy and excision system

Mayo Clinic's breast biopsy system is a commercially available vacuum-assisted biopsy device compatible with MRI. Guided by MR imaging, Mayo Clinic radiologists insert a core needle into the area of concern and remove a small tissue sample. The procedure requires only a topical anesthetic and leaves little to no scarring.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy has been shown to correctly identify cancer, when it is present, more often than biopsy devices without vacuum assistance. Patients undergoing MR-guided biopsy with this device are less likely to require a surgical biopsy because of inconclusive biopsy results.