Image-Guided Biopsy

A biopsy is an operation in which a needle is passed into a tumor to take small samples to send for analysis in order to determine a precise diagnosis. Image-guided refers to the use of scans and a computer to precisely locate and target the lesion (abnormal tissue). 

An image-guided biopsy is performed when the abnormal area in the breast is too small to be felt, making it difficult to locate the lesion by hand. Image-guided needle biopsy is not designed to remove the entire lesion, but most of a very small lesion may be removed in the process of biopsy.