At UPMC, we know that an early, accurate diagnosis can improve your chance of a successful breast cancer treatment outcome. We offer a full range of breast diagnostic testing services, including diagnostic imaging and biopsy care, at more than 100 convenient locations in Pennsylvania, New York, and western Maryland.
What Are Breast Diagnostic Testing Services?
Breast diagnostic testing services include diagnostic imaging and biopsy care. Unlike breast cancer screening, which involves having a preventive mammogram when there are no symptoms of breast cancer, diagnostic imaging or biopsy is performed when there are symptoms of breast cancer or when a screening mammogram shows a suspicious area of breast tissue.
Who’s Eligible for Breast Diagnostic Testing Services?
If you have symptoms of breast disease or receive an abnormal result from your screening mammogram, you may be a candidate for breast diagnostic testing. Your doctor will let you know what type of breast diagnostic testing is right for you.
What Breast Diagnostic Testing Services Do We Offer?
Our board-certified and fellowship-trained breast radiologists have expertise in diagnostic breast imaging and perform minimally invasive breast biopsies. We offer diagnostic breast imaging and biopsy services for men and women.
Breast diagnostic imaging procedures include:
- Breast MRI — A breast MRI is a noninvasive imaging test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to provide highly detailed pictures of breast tissue — without radiation exposure.
- Breast ultrasound — Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of breast tissue.
- Digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) — 3D mammograms take many pictures of your breast tissue using a series of x-ray image slices, much like a CT scan. They provide clear, detailed 3D pictures to help your doctor detect breast cancer.
- Full-field digital mammography — A digital mammogram is a noninvasive x-ray of your breast tissue that creates images that are stored on a computer.
Minimally invasive image-guided breast biopsy procedures include:
- MRI-guided breast biopsies — Uses MRI guidance to precisely locate suspicious areas of breast tissue so they can be removed to check for signs of cancer.
- Stereotactic breast biopsies — Uses mammography guidance to precisely locate suspicious areas of breast tissue so they can be removed to check for signs of cancer.
- Ultrasound-guided breast biopsies — Uses ultrasound guidance to precisely locate suspicious areas of breast tissue so they can be removed to check for signs of cancer.
Additional breast biopsies include:
- Excisional breast biopsy — Also called a surgical breast biopsy or open breast biopsy, this procedure involves removing a suspicious area of breast tissue to check for cancer. Your surgeon may also remove an area of normal tissue around the mass, called a margin.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy — A minimally invasive procedure to remove the main (sentinel) lymph node in the underarm (axilla) to test it for cancer. It is performed to determine if cancer has spread to your lymph nodes.
What Can I Expect?
At UPMC, we understand that breast cancer is a life-changing diagnosis that can affect you and your family emotionally, physically, financially, and socially. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of support services to help you and your loved ones overcome the challenges you may be experiencing because of your illness and treatment.
When you visit one of our diagnostic imaging or biopsy locations, you can expect:
- Collaboration — Caring, knowledgeable, and efficient staff work with you and your doctor to integrate your imaging results into a seamless plan of care.
- Convenience — Multiple testing locations across the region offer same-day, early morning, and weekend appointments.
- Expertise — Highly skilled specialists use advanced imaging technology for fast, high-quality readings that can lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Why Choose UPMC for Breast Diagnostic Testing Services?
When you choose UPMC for breast diagnostic testing services, you will have access to:
- Advanced imaging care — State-of-the-art imaging technology, including 1.5T MRI, 64-slice CT, and digital 3D mammography.
- Complete care — Comprehensive imaging services for both men and women.
- Experienced professionals — Subspecialty-trained physicians who collaborate with researchers in the Department of Radiology at the University of Pittsburgh.
- Multidisciplinary care — Seamless, coordinated care from subspecialty providers through the entire imaging process.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-09-18.
