back-arrow-image Search Health Packages, Tests & More

FAQs for Patients

You may require to undertake take a biopsy sample of your breast tissue as guided by your clinician.

A breast biopsy is a test that removes tissue or sometimes fluid from the suspicious area. The removed cells are examined under a microscope and further tested to check for the presence of breast cancer. A biopsy is the only diagnostic procedure that can definitely determine if the suspicious area is cancerous.

The good news is that 80% of women who have a breast biopsy may not have breast cancer.

There are three types of biopsies:

  • Fine-needle aspiration
  • Core-needle biopsy
  • Surgical biopsy

Once the biopsy is complete, a pathologist examines the tissue or fluid samples under a microscope, looking for abnormal or cancerous cells. The pathology report, which can take one or two weeks to complete, is sent to the patient’s doctor. It indicates whether the suspicious area is cancerous and provides a full picture of your situation. For the patient, waiting for results can be a real challenge, but being able to make an informed decision regarding your treatment is well worth it. Your doctor will go over the report with you and, if necessary, discuss the treatment options.

If no cancer cells are found, the report will indicate that the cells in the lump are benign, meaning non-cancerous. However, some type of follow-up or treatment may still be needed, as recommended by the healthcare professional.

If cancer cells are found, the report will provide more information to help determine the next steps.

The report of biopsy samplewill include tumor type and the tumor’s growth rate or grade. If cancer is found, the pathologist will also perform lab tests to look at cells for estrogen or progesterone receptors.The correct classification of the Breast Cancer type is most important because it will help the clinician to decide the right kind of approach towards management of the ailment in a big way.

That is where the role of Mammatyper becomes extremely important, because it correctly classifies the breast cancer into molecualr sub type which immensely helps the doctor to decide the treatment options.

What is mammatyper?

The MammaTyper is an in vitro (outside your body) diagnostic test used for appropriate classification of Breast Cancer as per St Gallen (world’s most renowned body on oncology) classification. The method involves quantitative detection of mRNA expression of breast cancer biomarkers like Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 HER2 (ERBB2), estrogen receptor (ESR1), progesterone receptor (PGR), and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67) can be measured with this test.

The test result is furthermore prognostic for a patient’s risk of developing distant metastases and overall survival. This test will also help your physician to make the right choice of therapy for you.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor may order additional lab tests to assist with prognosis. The two most common lab tests are the hormone receptor test and the HER2/neu test. Results from these tests can provide insight into which cancer treatment options may be most effective for you. IHC and Mammatyper are two tests which will help you know these.

Hormone receptor testing is generally recommended for patients who are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. If your doctor orders this test, you may be asked to discontinue taking any prescribed hormones for a period of time before the breast tissue sample is obtained. Usually, the sample comes from a biopsy, but the test may also be performed on tissue removed during a mastectomy.

partners image

Contact Us

For any feedbacks or query on Mammatyper, kindly fill the form below: