The needle used in this procedure is slightly larger than the one used in a fine-needle biopsy because the procedure is intended to remove a small cylinder of tissue that will be sent to the laboratory for further examination. A newer type of breast biopsy technique is the stereotactic biopsy which relies on a three-dimensional X-ray to guide the needle of non-palpable mass. The biopsy is performed in a similar manner, by using a needle to remove tissue sample but locating the specific area of the breast is done by X-raying the breast in two different angles. Surgical biopsy is performed to remove the entire lump or a part of it. It may be painful and is done under local anesthesia. Treatment
Most women with fibrocystic changes who are asymptomatic do not need treatment, only a closer follow-up may be advised. Theres no widely accepted treatment or prevention strategy for this condition. When the patient is symptomatic treatment may be necessary, same guidelines as treatment for cyclical breast pain are followed. Theres still controversy whether benign breast conditions improve or worsen with the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.Small-scale studies have indicated that fibrocystic breast changes may improve by making dietary changes (especially by reducing caffeine intake and related methylxanthines found in chocolate or tea) and usage of vitamin supplements. Tentative evidence has shown beneficial effects of iodine supplementation in women with fibrocystic breast changes. Prognosis
There are usually no adverse side effects associated with this condition. In almost all cases it subsides after menopause.
The strength of the family history of breast cancer, available for 4808 women, was a risk factor that was independent of histologic findings. No increased risk was found among women with no family history and nonproliferative findings. In the first 10 years after the initial biopsy, an excess of cancers occurred in the same breast, especially in women with atypia." It is not well understood whether the lesions are precursors of breast cancer or only an indication of increased risk, for most types of lesions the chance of developing breast cancer is nearly the same in the affected and unaffected breast (side) indicating only coincidence of risk factors. For atypical lobular hyperplasia there is high incidence of ipsilateral breast cancers indicating a possible direct carcinogenetic link. Epidemiology
The estimated prevalence of fibrocystic breast changes in women over their lifetime vary widely in the literature, ranging from 30 to 60% over about 50 to 60% to about 60 to 75% of all women.The condition is most common among women between 30 and 50 years of age. Terminology
In ICD-10 the condition is called diffuse cystic mastopathy, or, if there is epithelial proliferation, fibrosclerosis of breast. Other names for this condition include chronic cystic mastitis, fibrocystic mastopathy  and mammary dysplasia. The condition has also been named after several people (see eponyms below). Since it is a very common disorder, some authors have argued that it should not be termed a "disease", whereas others feel that it meets the criteria for a disease.