Excisional Biopsy

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Houston and The Woodlands, TX

Excisional Biopsy, Houston, TX, Greater Houston Breast Care

An excisional biopsy is a surgical procedure that removes an entire lump or growth from the breast for diagnosis. (1) It is primarily used to assess growths whose structure requires a conclusive answer, such as melanomas or other abnormal tissue growths. (2)

Greater Houston Breast Surgeons is one of Houston’s leading breast care practices. Dr. Loren Rourke, Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas, and Dr. Vega Vega lead our practice, each of whom has earned their own recognitions, awards, and accolades.

To schedule a consultation with one of our accomplished surgeons, we ask that you contact us online or call (713) 701-7165. We have two offices conveniently located in both Houston and The Woodlands.

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About Excision Biopsy

Excisional biopsies are diagnostic tools that help surgeons and oncologists address suspicious growths or abnormal lesions when a needle punch biopsy cannot provide conclusive enough results. (2) This surgical procedure consists of removing the entirety of a lump from the breast. We then send this tissue to a pathology lab, where they can determine what stage and grade the cancer is in.

By sampling the entirety of the area, our pathology team can comprehensively examine the tissue under a microscope and look for irregularities. This will then allow us to provide you with the most accurate results and the most effective treatment options.

What Do We Look For?

When diagnosing cancer, our pathology team looks for abnormalities across your cells. Each type of cell and tissue looks a specific way under a microscope, and cancers can affect their patterns and composition. Key indicators include:

  • Changes in Cell Shape or Size: Cancerous cells typically look different from their healthy counterparts. It is common for them to be abnormally large or small, as well as oddly shaped.
  • Changes in Nucleus Size and Appearance: The nucleus holds a cell’s DNA, and its size and shape can vary among cancerous cells because it contains an excess amount of DNA.
  • Alterations in Cell Pattern: Cells arrange neatly in the tissue to execute a specific function, and cancerous cells lose their natural patterns and arrangements. They often form abnormal features or clump together. (3)

Candidates

You may want to consider undergoing an excisional biopsy if you have undergone previous breast cancer testing that did not result in conclusive results. Excisional biopsies are especially effective when addressing lesions whose architectural structures demand a concrete diagnosis, such as:

  • Pigmented Lesions
  • Atypical Neoplasms
  • Inflammatory Skin Conditions
  • Subcutaneous Growths
  • Dermal Lesions
  • Potential Melanomas (2)

You will need to be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect your recovery and results. You should also lead a nicotine-free life or be willing to quit entirely.

Our team does not recommend undergoing an excisional biopsy if you have a local infection in the area or have a weakened immune system, both of which may increase the likelihood of developing certain complications. Your surgeon may also recommend an alternate approach if your lesions are near a vital structure, inaccessible, or in an area at a higher risk of poor healing. (2)

Personal Consultation

Your personal consultation is your opportunity to learn more about excisional biopsies and form a more personal connection with your surgeon. During this meeting, your surgeon will meet with you individually to discuss what excisional biopsies entail, how we perform them, the types of cancers they diagnose, and more. They will also openly converse with you about your medical history, any previous procedures or treatments you underwent, and more. We may also have you undergo various lab tests, imaging tests, and physical examinations to learn more about the growth.

From there, your surgeon will determine whether an excisional biopsy is right for you, and they will help you create a treatment plan based on their findings. Throughout this process, they will explain each step so you have a full understanding of what to expect from your excisional biopsy.

If you are ready to take the first step toward long-term wellness and accurate diagnosis, please request a consultation online or call (713) 701-7165.

Preparation

Once you have decided to proceed with your excisional biopsy, your surgeon will provide you with a set of detailed preparation instructions. These may vary depending on your circumstances, but they generally include:

  • Avoiding Certain Medications: Under the proper medical guidance, refrain from consuming any medications or supplements containing blood-thinning properties.
  • Arranging Transportation Home: Have a trusted friend or relative drive you home after your procedure.
  • Preparing Time Off: Arrange to take time away from work, as well as time away from your personal and social responsibilities and commitments.
  • Acquiring Your Medications: Before your appointment, pick up any medications you will need for your recovery.
  • Ceasing Substance Consumption: Avoid consuming any nicotine or alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

Upon your arrival, a member of our team will lead you to a private treatment room where your surgeon will meet with you one last time. Here, they will reconfirm each detail of your procedure and answer any last-minute questions you may have.

Your surgeon will then cleanse your skin and mark the area around the suspected lesion. Following this, you will receive local anesthesia. Once it has taken effect, your surgeon will begin removing the affected tissues.

They will place an incision around the growth before removing it in its entirety. They may also remove a small margin of skin around its perimeter while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissues. Your surgeon will proceed to suture the incision shut before dressing the area. Finally, we will send the tissue sample to our pathology team for evaluation.

Recovery

After your excisional biopsy, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or general discomfort around the treatment zone. These effects will dissipate on their own with time, but you may also manage them with prescription medications and plenty of rest.

After resting for a few days, you will be able to return to most of your daily activities, although everyone’s pain levels are different. Our surgeons advise avoiding anything arduous or strenuous until they provide clearance. You may also need to return for a follow-up appointment so they may monitor your recovery and remove any sutures, if needed.

Your surgeon will provide you with a full set of post-operative instructions to guide you through each phase of your recovery. By following each one, you can ensure a safe and successful return to your routine.

Results

The results of your excisional biopsy will vary depending on what stage and grade your cancer is. Your surgeon will help you determine the best treatment approach based on these results, with each treatment focusing on eliminating the cancer and minimizing its spread—all while preserving the natural appearance and structure of your breasts.

What Happens if the Cancer Has Spread?

If the results of your biopsy show that your growth is cancerous and has spread, we may ask that you undergo a sentinel lymph node biopsy. In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, your surgeon injects a radiotracer and blue dye near the tumor bed or beneath the areola. These two substances will slowly travel through the breast to the targeted lymph nodes, marking them to identify them. Your surgeon will then use a gamma probe and the blue dye to identify the nodes before removing them. Again, we will send the nodes to our pathology team for further investigation. (4)

If our pathology team does not detect any abnormalities, then your surgeon will leave your treatment regimen as-is. If our team determines that your cancer has spread, we will tailor your treatment plan as necessary.

Cost of Excisional Biopsy in Houston, Texas

Your surgeon will discuss your financial obligations when meeting with you in person. This is because the pricing of your excisional biopsy can vary depending on the location of the lesion, the size of the lesion, and the complexity of the procedure itself.

To learn more about the cost of your procedure, please contact us online or call (713) 701-7165.

FAQ

What is an excisional biopsy?

An excisional biopsy is a technique that breast surgeons can use to assess certain types of breast cancers whose architectural structures require diagnosis.

What type of anesthesia will I receive during an excisional biopsy?

Our surgeons typically use local anesthesia when performing excisional biopsies.

How long will it take for me to recover after my excisional biopsy?

Many of our patients can return to most of their routine after a few days, although you will need to refrain from engaging in any strenuous tasks or activities until you receive clearance.

Will there be scarring after my excisional biopsy?

Yes, the procedure will leave a small degree of scarring. However, this scarring will gradually fade on its own with time.

Can an excisional biopsy treat certain types of breast cancer?

An excisional biopsy is primarily a diagnostic tool, although it can treat cancers when the growths are small and not aggressively spreading.

How long will it take for me to receive the results of my biopsy?

The exact timeframe will vary, but it typically takes our team between a few days and two weeks to review the tissue sample.

References

  1. PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Breast Cancer Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®): Patient Version. PubMed. Published 2002. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65969/
  2. Beard C j, Subitchan Ponnarasu, Sequeira MB, Schmieder GJ. Excisional Biopsy. Nih.gov. Published January 19, 2025. Accessed June 12, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534835/#article-21429.s4
  3. Biopsy and Cytology Tests | Biopsies for Cancer. www.cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/diagnosis-staging/tests/biopsy-and-cytology-tests.htm
  4. Sevensma KE, Lewis CR. Axillary Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. Nih.gov. Published July 3, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553184/#article-48.s9