What is a breast excision biopsy?

A breast excision biopsy is a procedure used to obtain tissue from a lump or area of concern in your breast for assessment. Results from a breast biopsy can be used to diagnose breast cancer.

Why do you need a breast excision biopsy?

Your surgeon might recommend a breast excision biopsy if you notice any unusual breast changes such as a lump, crusting, scaling, dimpling skin or a bloody discharge, or if images from your mammogram, breast ultrasound scan or MRI reveals suspicious or concerning findings. 

What can you expect when undergoing a breast excision biopsy?

During a Breast Excision Biopsy

There are several types of breast biopsies:

  • Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy – Your surgeon will place a very thin needle into the lump or area of concern and remove a small sample of fluid or tissue. There is no incision made.
  • Core needle biopsy – Your surgeon guides a large needle into the lump or area of concern and removes small cylinders of tissue. There is no incision made.
  • Open (surgical) biopsy – Your surgeon makes an incision in the breast and removes part or all of the lump. If the lump is small and hard to find, a technique called wire localisation may be used where a thin needle with a very thin wire is put into the breast. With the help of X-ray images, your surgeon will follow the wire to find the lump.

After a Breast Excision Biopsy

It is normal to experience soreness around the biopsy site for several days after the procedure – your surgeon may prescribe pain relievers.

Why choose Novena Surgery for a breast excision biopsy?

Doctors who choose to perform a breast excision biopsy at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo a breast excision biopsy in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform breast excision biopsies at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
Solis Breast Care & Surgery CentreDr Lim Siew KuanRoyal Square Medical Centre
101 Irrawaddy Road, #20-02 to 04, Singapore 329565
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5.30pm
Saturdays: 9am – 1pm
Sunday & Public Holidays:
By appointments
Nexus SurgicalDr Tan Yia SwamMount Elizabeth Medical Centre
3 Mount Elizabeth #08-06, Singapore 228510

Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-43, Singapore 329563

Mount Alvernia Hospital Medical Centre A
820 Thomson Road, #06-05, Singapore 574623

Parkway East Medical Centre
319 Joo Chiat Place #05-01, Singapore 427989
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
(Lunch 1:00pm-2:00pm)
Saturday: 9:00am-1:00pm
Sunday / PH: Closed