Benign (non-cancerous) breast changes and conditions are common, and many women experience them. Benign breast conditions are not life-threatening but may cause symptoms such as lumps, discomfort, nipple discharge, and more.
Board-Certified Surgeon
MICHELE LEY, MD, FACS
Dr. Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, delivers compassionate and personalized care to create tailored treatment plans based on the latest research. Specializing in surgical care for breast cancer and high-risk patients, she employs minimally invasive techniques and practices oncoplastic surgery to optimize outcomes.
More About Dr. LeyCore Needle Biopsy
A core needle biopsy is the most common way to confirm the diagnosis of a breast mass. This procedure involves using a hollow needle to remove tissue from the breast. These tissue samples are assessed by a pathologist under a microscope to visualize the cells and decide if they are cancerous or not. A core needle biopsy is often used to check for cancer in a lump or suspicious area that can be seen on an imaging test.
Excisional Biopsy
During an excisional biopsy, the entire abnormal area and some surrounding tissue are removed during a surgical procedure. During this procedure, sedation or general anesthesia and a local anesthetic will be used to numb the treatment area. The breast tissue that is removed is usually imaged with an X-ray or ultrasound, which allows the surgeon to match up the suspicious areas on the mammogram with those in the biopsied tissues. If those areas match, then the correct amount of tissue was removed and surgery is complete. This is done during the procedure and the surgeon can take more tissue if needed. The final pathology report will come after surgery with the confirmed diagnosis.
“The level of care is excellent.”
Terminal Duct Excision and Nipple Exploration
When patients have nipple discharge or a mass in the nipple area, surgery may be required to confirm the diagnosis and relieve symptoms. Under local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia your surgeon will make a small incision around the areola to expose the ducts. They will remove one or more affected ducts. Sometimes all ducts must be removed. The surgeon will then repair the area under the nipple to reduce the chance of scarring which causes nipple inversion. Some patients may have numbness of the nipple area temporarily or permanently after this surgery. Depending on how many ducts are removed, breastfeeding may be difficult after this procedure.
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If you are interested in learning more about benign breast surgery procedures in Tucson, AZ please contact Tucson Breast Health Specialists today. We will be happy to discuss your treatment options with you.
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