Glossary Term:

Title

stereotactic needle biopsy

Phonetic

<b>steer</b>-e-o-<b>TACK</b>-tick <b>need</b>-ul <b>by</b>-op-see

Description

A type of needle biopsy that is useful when calcifications or a small mass can be seen on imaging tests but cannot be felt (such as in a breast) or tumors are in a location where surgery to remove them is risky (such as a brain tumor). A computer maps the location of the mass to guide the placement of the needle.