Duration
Most biopsies of the breast are performed within a few minutes to half an hour, including preliminary examination, disinfection, anaesthesia if necessary and needle biopsy. If a biopsy has to be planned on the computer using three-dimensional images, the preparation in particular usually takes a few days. Even in this case, the biopsy itself is usually performed quickly. Only the open biopsy usually requires a longer period of time, as the beginning and end of the anaesthesia usually take some time. In this case, interventions of about one hour (depending on how complicated and large the intervention on the breast is) can also be expected to take several hours.
Costs
The costs of a breast biopsy are mostly determined by the length of time the doctor needs to perform the examination, due to the small procedure. In addition, laboratory costs must be calculated for the examination of the sample material. If the biopsy is controlled by ultrasound, the costs remain low. If an MRI device has to be used, it can be more expensive.
Who pays the costs?
The costs for a breast biopsy are usually covered by the health insurance company, therefore it is unfortunately not possible to give exact information about the respective prices. Since biopsies are usually only performed on the basis of a medical indication, the costs should be fully covered by both private and statutory health insurance companies.
What are the alternatives?
The alternatives to a biopsy of the breast are initially imaging procedures. Using ultrasound, MRI and mammography, spatial requirements can be assessed. The probability of malignant degeneration of the affected region plays a particularly important role.
By means of various diagnostic criteria, this probability can often be very well delimited. If the probability is less than 2%, a wait-and-see approach with follow-up imaging after several months is usually aimed for. Even if there is a higher risk of dangerous lesions, it is still possible to wait and monitor the situation using ultrasound, etc. However, this procedure is not recommended in the guidelines. and mammography
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