A vacuum-assisted needle biopsy, also called a mammatome, is a method used to evaluate breast abnormalities detected by a mammogram. A doctor can determine if an abnormality is cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) by the removal of tissue (biopsy) for microscopic examination. A mammatome uses vacuum suction to obtain a tissue sample.

During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a large needle into your breast tissue, using X-ray and ultrasound guidance. Vacuum pressure pulls tissue into the needle and removes it. To collect multiple samples, the surgeon rotates the needle. In a conventional needle biopsy, the needle must be removed and re-inserted after each sampling. Also, the mammatome takes larger samples than is possible with the conventional method. This may improve the accuracy of the results.