A tiny nick is made in the skin where the Mammotome probe enters. The probe removes tissue from only the breast abnormality. This allows the pathologist easily to analyze and render a definite and accurate diagnosis. If there are multiple abnormal areas, tissue is obtained from each of those areas. Strenuous physical activity is restricted during this time.
Most women experience minimal, if any, discomfort or bruising.
The tiny nick where the probe entered the skin and any bruising resolves in a few weeks. With straight local anesthesia, patients only miss a few hours of work as opposed to a day or two with open surgical procedure. According to Julian, patients run a risk of infection any time they're taken into an open surgical procedure. This is particularly helpful when diagnosing high-risk women such as premenopausal women between the ages of 35 and 50, where a certain percentage can be missed due to dense breast tissue. A mammogram may not detect it.