Diagnosing Breast Cancer

If further analysis is required beyond imaging studies, patients at The Lankenau Hospital Breast Care Center are referred to a surgeon to conduct a breast biopsy. In this procedure, doctors remove a sample of tissue from the suspicious area and send it to a pathologist to analyze the tissue sample. Today, patients benefit from less invasive breast biopsy procedures that offer shorter recovery times, less scarring and less post-procedure pain. Once cells are extracted, the surgeon works closely with the pathologist to accurately and quickly diagnose the presence of disease.

Accredited by the College of American Pathologists, Lankenau Hospital's Pathology Department offers state of the art technology including immunohistochemistry and access to both hybridization and prognostic testing. Our doctors were among the first in the region to introduce these techniques including:

• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Performed under general anesthesia, a very thin needle is inserted into the suspicious mass and cells are extracted for microscopic evaluation.

• Core Biopsy: Performed under local anesthesia for palpable tumor sites identified by mammogram, ultrasound or MRI.

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: A radioactive material and blue dye are injected into the area surrounding the tumor site. Then, through a small incision under the patient's arm, doctors remove the lymph nodes that have absorbed the most radioactive material or blue dye. This less invasive technique allows the surgeon to isolate and examine this important node and trace the expected path of spreading cancer cells. It is being used with increasing frequency for detecting aggressive, early stage cancers.

• Consultative Services: If necessary, women are referred to specialists in medical oncology and radiation oncology for consultation and to discuss treatment options.