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Home / Medical Services / Cancer / Oncology / Cancer Services / Erlanger Center for Breast Health / I Need a Biopsy

I Need to Have a Biopsy, Now What?

Erlanger Center for Breast Health
Erlanger Center for Breast Health

What is a biopsy? 

A biopsy is a diagnostic procedure to identify or verify the presence of breast cancer. During this process, samples of cells or tissue are extracted from the breast for microscopic examination. A biopsy is indicated in situations:

  • Where there is a palpable lump or noticeable alteration in the breast,
  • When a screening mammogram reveals an abnormality, or
  • When follow-up imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, do not eliminate the possibility of breast cancer.

It is natural to feel anxious about the necessity of a biopsy; however, it is important to note that the majority of biopsies do not indicate the presence of breast cancer.


Types of Biopsy

Biopsy Procedure
Needle vs. Surgical Biopsy

A needle biopsy involves the use of a hollow needle to extract tissue or cell samples from the breast. To ensure comfort during the procedure, the physician will administer a local anesthetic to numb the targeted area. Core needle biopsy is the typical and favored method for diagnosing breast cancer; however, some individuals may require a surgical biopsy for confirmation. In this procedure, the entire abnormal region, along with a portion of the surrounding healthy tissue, is usually excised.

Core Needle Biopsy
  • Preferred biopsy method for diagnosis
  • Short procedure, but with some discomfort
  • Very small, if any, incision
  • Small chance of infection or bruising
  • Used to check lumps and abnormal areas found on a mammogram
  • Usually done in a hospital or imaging center (image guidance is used during the biopsy)
  • Can usually tell non-invasive breast cancers from invasive breast cancers, but may not give a full description of the tumor
  • If the findings are not cancer, they may avoid surgery.
Fine Needle Aspiration
  • Quick and fairly painless
  • No incision
  • Small chance of infection or bruising
  • Can be done in a doctor’s office
  • Less accurate than a core needle or surgical biopsy
  • Needle can miss a tumor and take a sample of normal cells instead
  • Not recommended for abnormal areas only seen on a mammogram (the abnormal area can’t be felt)
  • Can’t distinguish non-invasive from invasive breast cancers
  • Doesn’t give a full description of the tumor
  • An experienced breast cytopathologist is needed

Surgical Biopsy
  • More invasive than a needle biopsy
  • Takes time to heal from surgery
  • Greater chance for infection and bruising than with needle biopsy
  • Can change the look of the breast
  • Done in a hospital with local anesthesia and sedation
  • Can give full information about the tumor
  • May be the only surgery needed to remove the tumor
  • Most woman can go home the same day