Breast Biopsy

BREAST BIOPSY

Questions to ask Biopsy basics your doctor A biopsy removes cells or tissue from the breast. The cells or tissue are viewed under a The questions below may microscope to check for cancer. A biopsy is the only test that can diagnose or confirm help you talk to your breast cancer. doctor. You may need a biopsy, if you have: • What type of biopsy will I have? Why? • A breast lump or other breast change • How much of the lump • An abnormal finding on your mammogram will be removed? If you need a biopsy, try not to panic. Most biopsies in the U.S. don’t show breast cancer. • How long will it take? • What side effects There are 2 main types of biopsies: needle and surgical. might I expect afterwards? Needle biopsy Surgical biopsy • When will I get the A needle biopsy uses a hollow needle to Although core needle biopsy is the results? remove samples of tissue or cells from standard way to diagnose breast cancer, • When will I get a the breast. The doctor will use a local some people need a surgical biopsy. copy of the pathology report? anesthetic (medicine that blocks pain) A surgical biopsy can diagnose breast to numb the area. You may be a little cancer. It can also give complete • If I have breast cancer, who will talk with me sore afterwards. You may want to bring a information about the tumor. Sometimes about my treatment friend or family member for support and the surgeon can fully remove the cancer. options? to drive you home. For some, lymph nodes may need to be ® Susan G. Komen has Core needle biopsy can be used for breast removed at a later date. a Questions to Ask the lumps you can feel and areas only seen on Most surgical biopsies are excisional Doctor series on many breast cancer topics, a mammogram or other imaging test. biopsies. The whole abnormal area (plus including biopsies. A core needle biopsy is the standard some of the normal tissue around it) is You can download and method used to diagnose (or rule out) removed. print these questions to take with you to your breast cancer. next appointment at Fine needle aspiration (also known komen.org/questions. as FNA or fine needle biopsy) is only used for lumps that can be felt. FNA is sometimes done as a quick way to sample a breast lump.

For more information, visit komen.org or call Susan G. Komen’s breast care helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 10 PM ET.

FACTS FOR LIFE BREAST BIOPSY

Resources Types of biopsy Procedure Information Susan G. Komen® Core needle biopsy • Quick, but uncomfortable • Usually done in a hospital 1-877 GO KOMEN (standard biopsy • Very small, if any, incision or imaging center (if the (1-877-465-6636) method for diagnosis) (cut in the skin) lump can’t be felt, image komen.org guidance is used during the • Small chance of infection biopsy) or bruising • Can usually tell non-invasive • Can be used to check breast cancers from invasive lumps and abnormal areas breast cancers, but may not Related found on other tests educational give a full description of the resources: tumor • If findings are benign (not • Breast Cancer Prognosis cancer), may avoid surgical • Breast Cancer Screening biopsy and Follow-up Tests • Breast Cancer Surgery Fine needle aspiration • Quick, fairly painless • Not recommended for • No incision abnormal areas only seen on mammogram (when the • Small chance of infection abnormal area can’t be felt) or bruising • Can’t distinguish non- • Can be done in a doctor’s invasive from invasive breast office cancers • Less accurate than a core • Doesn’t give a full needle or surgical biopsy description of the tumor • Needle can miss a tumor • Needs an experienced breast and take a sample of cytopathologist (a doctor normal cells instead who specializes in looking at cells under a microscope) Surgical biopsy • More invasive than • Done in a hospital with (excisional biopsy) needle biopsy (a surgical local anesthesia and you will procedure) be sedated • Takes time to heal from • Can give full information surgery about the tumor • Greater chance for • May be the only surgery infection and bruising needed to remove the tumor than with needle biopsy • Most women can go home • Can change the look and the same day feel of the breast

This content provided by Susan G. Komen® is designed for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Please consult with your personal physician.

FACTS FOR LIFE