Where is a breast biopsy usually done? at a hospital?

Varies with type: Breast biopsy can be performed on a breast mass that can be palpated (felt) in a doctor's office or clinic. If the breast abnormality can only be seen on x-ray or ultrasound then a facility that has that imaging capability is required. That still might be an office or clinic, radiology facility, outpatient surgery facility or hospital. Biopsy can be done with needle or by lumpectomy.

At an office: The standard is to get a core needle biopsy performed by ultrasound or mammogram(stereotactic). It is usually performed by a surgeon or radiologist using local anesthesia. Only special circumstances require a breast biopsy to be performed in an operating room.

Office or hospital: The current standard of care for breast biopsy is image guided needle biopsy (ultrasound, stereotactic or MRI guided) which can be safely and conveniently done at an office , a breast clinic or a radiology suite in a hospital using local anesthesia. In rare instances an open surgical biopsy may be needed which is usually done in a hospital or surgery center operating room.

Many places: Breast biopsies can be done in the office, in surgery, in radiology using imaging guidance etc.

Office/hospital/etc: Ot can be done nearly anywhere from the office, radiology department, or surgical suite depending on the nature of the biopsy. A simple mass can be easily biopsied in the office. Non-palpable masses may require imaging such as ultrasound with with wire localization. Multiple sites may be better done in a hospital or surgical suite.

Radiology Suite: Breast biopsy is an out patient procedure performed under local anesthesia and is usually performed in the radiology suite.

It depends: Depending on how medical care is arranged in your community, a breast biopsy might take place in a physician's office, a comprehensive breast center, a hospital, or other venue. It also depends on whether the target is palpable or only appreciated with imaging guidance. If you have a preference, you should make that known and see if your desire can be accommodated.