Ultrasound (US) guided breast biopsy

An ultrasound-guided breast biopsy uses ultrasound scans to help find an area in the breast.
Small tissue samples are then taken and checked under a microscope.
It uses a special biopsy needle and is less intense than surgical biopsy in an operating theatre.
It usually leaves little or no scar and is a good way to check areas of concern or unusual changes in the breast.
It is performed by Consultant Radiologists or specially trained advanced practitioners.

If changes in your breast are seen on a mammogram or ultrasound scan, the breast consultant will need a sample to find out what is causing them.
The tissue or cell samples are checked under a microscope. This helps confirm the diagnosis.

Sometimes after a biopsy, there may be a small amount of bleeding inside the breast, which can cause a bruise or swelling. This is called a haematoma.
Care is taken during the procedure to help prevent infection.
Care is taken to make sure the needle does not go beyond the breast or into the chest wall.
This is very important if a lump is situated at the back of a small breast.

You might be offered a diagnostic excision biopsy.
An excision biopsy is an operation to remove the abnormal area from the breast.
It is carried out in an operating theatre while you are asleep under a general anaesthetic.
As well as removing the abnormal area, the Surgeon will remove a small amount of healthy tissue around it. This is called a margin.
This procedure will leave a scar, and the recovery time is longer.

You do not need to do anything special before this procedure.
You can eat and drink normally before and after.
Please tell us if you take any medicines that thin your blood, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin.
You may need to stop these for a short time before the procedure.
Please also tell the Radiologist before the procedure begins.
If you are allergic to any medicines, especially local anaesthetic, please contact us as soon as you get your appointment. Contact details are below.
On the day of your appointment, do not use deodorant, powder, lotion, or perfume on your breasts or underarms. These can affect the test results.
You can bring a friend or family member to go home with you.
Your friend or family member may not be allowed into the examination room, but they can still support you before and after the procedure.

The procedure should last no longer than 20 minutes and is carried out in an ultrasound room.
Please be prepared to stay in the department for longer. There may be delays, or you may need time to rest and recover after the procedure.
Once you are in the examination room, you will be asked to take off your clothes from the waist up and lie down on the examination bed.
First, an ultrasound scan of the breast will be done. This helps find the area that needs a sample.
The Radiologist will then clean the area of the breast that is going to be examined, before injecting a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
Once the area is numb, a very small cut (about 3–4 mm wide) is made. The biopsy needle is then gently placed into the breast through this cut.
The ultrasound machine is used to guide the needle into the correct position.
The spring-loaded biopsy needle makes a clicking noise as it takes a sample.
This process may be repeated two to four times.
When enough samples have been taken and the procedure is finished, a member of staff will press firmly on the area for about 5 minutes.
This helps reduce bruising.
A paper stitch (called a Steri-Strip) will be placed over the small cut. It will then be covered with a clean, waterproof dressing.
You will need to keep this dressing on for 48 hours.

The local anaesthetic may sting for a few seconds before it makes the breast numb.
You may feel some pressure on the breast during the procedure, but you should not feel any pain.
If you feel pain, tell the Radiologist. They can give you more local anaesthetic to numb the area.
Once the local anaesthetic wears off after two to three hours, your breast may be tender or painful.
If the area feels sore, you can take a mild painkiller like paracetamol. Always follow the instructions on the packet.
Do not take anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin. These can increase bruising in the breast.

The samples will be sent to the laboratory to be analysed.
Your results are usually back within two weeks.
You can return to normal activities straight away. But avoid hard exercise, heavy lifting, jogging, or aerobics for 48 hours.
Take your usual prescribed medicines as normal, unless your Doctor tells you otherwise.
Please look at the aftercare sheet you are given after the procedure for more information.

If the small wound starts to ooze blood, press firmly on it for at least 10 minutes until the bleeding stops.
If the bleeding does not stop or your breast becomes swollen, remove the dressing and press on the area again.
You can also use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to help.
If after 30 minutes the bleeding still has not stopped, then please go to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) and take this leaflet with you.
Sometimes a solid lump will form beneath the skin. This is due to blood collecting and hardening within the breast. It is called a haematoma.
If this happens, you should see your GP or tell your breast Surgeon at your results appointment.

All results are discussed at the weekly Multidisciplinary Team meeting, so you may have to wait up to two weeks to receive your biopsy results.
Your results may be sent to you by letter or given to you at an outpatient appointment with your Surgeon.

For further information about breast biopsies and aftercare you may find the following link helpful: https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk

Tel.: 020 7288 5888, Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Published:

29 Jun 2026

Review:

29 Jun 2028

Reference:

ACW/Imag/USGBB/01