Understanding Breast Biopsies
A Breast biopsy involves the use of local anesthetic and ultrasound guidance, as a radiologist inserts a needle into a known lesion in the breast. The procedure is accomplished by using ultrasound to guide the needle to the lesion in real time. Multiple samples are collected and sent to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Laboratory for analysis.
An Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy is less invasive than a surgical biopsy and leaves little to no scarring.
Understanding Prostate Biopsies
An Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsy is a procedure where a special needle is inserted into the prostate gland, with ultrasound guidance, to take a small sample of tissue from the gland. The samples are then sent to the Red Deer Regional Hospital Laboratory for testing and analysis, to determine the presence or absence of prostate cancer.
Get Clear, Diagnostic Results
If on your recent breast imaging or prostate examination the physician detected an abnormality, you may be sent for an image-guided biopsy.
A biopsy is used to determine whether an abnormality is malignant or benign.
Did you know...
Interventional procedures, guided by imaging, can provide minimally invasive alternatives to surgery, reducing recovery time and patient discomfort
Biopsies For Early Detection
Less Invasive Than A Surgical Biopsy
Identify Malignant or Benign Abnormalitie
Minimally Invasive
You may be referred for a Prostate Biopsy for three main reasons:
- Your prostate-specific antigen (PSA), measured through a blood test, is high or rising rapidly.
- Your doctor may have felt an abnormality in your prostate when carrying out a digital rectal examination (DRE), where your doctor had inserted a gloved finger in your rectum (anus) to feel your prostate for any abnormal enlargement or other abnormality.
- If you have a family history of prostate cancer.
Complications to watch for:
The two main risk factors for this procedure are bleeding and infection.
To minimize the risk of bleeding, patients are required to stop any anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication for a minimum of 5 days before the procedure.
To minimize the risk of infection, the procedure is performed using sterile technique and we request that the biopsy site is kept clean and dry for 24 hours following the procedure.
Preparing For Your Appointment
PATIENT PREPARATION
- All blood thinners (Warfarin, Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin, Eliquis etc.) must be discontinued for 5 days prior to your procedure, but only after your physician has provided written approval, post consultation. Take all other medications as per usual.
- Eat and drink normally the day of your appointment, having something to eat before your appointmentis encouraged.
- Antibiotics prescribed by your physician must be taken prior to the appointment and should not be taken with calcium supplements or dairy products.
- Please arrive for your appointment 30 minutes priorto your appointment time.
- You should be accompanied by a driver, but if this is not possible you will be asked to remain in the department for 30-60 minutes post procedure.
- Additional instructions will be given at time of booking.
Covered by Alberta Health Care
Referrals are necessary for all bookings
Exam Duration: 60 – 90mins
Locations
Do you need an Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy exam?
Contact our CAMIS Care team to ask questions or to learn more about our services.
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