Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBiopsy TypesDoes It Hurt?DurationPurposeProcedureBenign ResultsCancer-Positive
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Biopsy Types
Does It Hurt?
Duration
Purpose
Procedure
Benign Results
Cancer-Positive
Breast biopsy procedures involve removing a small sample of breast tissue to check for cancer or other abnormal cells. There are a few types. Core needle biopsy is most frequently used when breast cancer is suspected.This relatively quick procedure uses a needle to extract tissue and doesn’t require a cut. Surgical biopsy is preferred when the lump is particularly deep or hard to find.
The breast biopsy may involvelocal anesthesiato numb the breast or general anesthesia if surgery is needed. During the procedure, you might feel pressure but should not experience sharp pain; let your healthcare provider know if you do. Afterward, a tiny marker may be placed at the biopsy site, and imaging like amammogrammay follow to confirm the marker’s position. The entire visit can take over an hour, and your provider will discuss the lab results with you once they are ready.
Types of Breast Biopsy Procedures
During a breast biopsy, fluid or small breast tissue samples are removed and analyzed in a lab for cancer cells. You will know the type of biopsy you’re having ahead of time, so you can prepare appropriately. In some instances, your healthcare provider may also do alymph node biopsyat the same time as your breast biopsy.
There are four main types of breast biopsy procedures:
Fine Needle Aspiration
Fine needle aspiration is a non-surgical, outpatient procedure done with a thin, hollow needle attached to a syringe. The needle is used to extract fluid or breast tissue from the suspicious area.
The needle used for this procedure is very thin, so numbing is not always needed. Topical numbing (applied to the skin) with an agent like lidocaine is usually enough to reduce or eliminate discomfort.Ask your healthcare provider if and how they plan to numb the area so you know what to expect.
General anesthesia is not needed for fine needle aspiration. During this procedure, you will be awake and in a supine position (lying face up). The procedure takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Core Needle Biopsy
Core needle biopsies are non-surgical, outpatient procedures done with a local anesthetic. This is the type of biopsy most commonly used when breast cancer is suspected.
Your provider will insert a very thin needle containing anesthetic into the area to be biopsied. A small cut may then be made in the breast tissue. A thin, hollow needle will be inserted to extract cylinder-shaped breast tissue samples from one or more locations.
The needle will be attached to a spring-loaded tool or a suction device. It will be guided into the mass with the help of an imaging tool, such as an ultrasound,breast MRI, or mammogram.
Mammogram-guided biopsies are calledstereotactic biopsies. If you have this type of biopsy, your breast will be compressed in a mammography machine for imaging before the procedure.
Since general anesthesia is not used, you will be awake during the test. Core needle biopsies are relatively quick but typically take longer than fine needle aspirations.
Surgical Breast Biopsy
Surgical biopsies are outpatient procedures typically done in hospitals. Surgery is not commonly used to biopsy the breast. However, your provider may recommend having a surgical biopsy if a needle biopsy produces unclear results.
During a surgical biopsy, all or part of the suspicious area will be cut and removed with a scalpel and other tools. The excised tissue will be checked under a microscope in a laboratory for cancer cells.
A margin of normal breast tissue will also be removed for laboratory analysis. This helps indicate if cancer has spread, should a malignancy be found.
If your surgeon cannot feel or locate the suspicious mass, a localizing device may be placed into the area before the biopsy. This part of the procedure is referred to as preoperative localization.
Imaging tests will help your surgeon place the localizing device, such as a wire or radioactive seed, into the area to be biopsied. Preoperative localization may be done right before the biopsy or earlier.
Before the biopsy, a local anesthetic will be injected into your breast, and you will be given intravenous (IV) sedation that makes you very drowsy. In some instances, general anesthesia that puts you into a deep sleep will be used instead. Both options protect you from feeling pain during the biopsy.
Skin Punch Biopsy
This less-common procedure is done ifinflammatory breast cancer(IBC) is suspected. Only around 3% of all breast cancers are of this type.
For a skin punch biopsy, a small sample of breast skin, plus tissue under the skin, will be extracted with a hollow, round-tipped scalpel.
This outpatient procedure usually takes around 15 minutes and is typically done in a healthcare provider’s office or ambulatory care setting. A local anesthetic will be applied to the skin to freeze it prior to the procedure. In some instances, one or two stitches will be needed to close the surgical wound.
How Painful Is a Breast Biopsy?
You should feel little to no pain during any biopsy procedure. During needle biopsies, you may feel discomfort or pressure when the needle enters your skin. If imaging wands are used directly on your breast, you may also feel pressure from the wand.
If you’re having a surgical breast biopsy, you will either be sedated or in a deep sleep. Either way, you should not feel pain during the procedure.
How Long Do Breast Biopsies Take?
The type of biopsy you have will determine how long the procedure will last. In general, you can expect these timeframes:
Does a Biopsy Confirm Breast Cancer?
Yes, a biopsy can confirm breast cancer. Along with imaging tests and a physical exam, they can also be used tostage the cancer(determine how advanced it is).
Your healthcare provider may order this test for you if an imaging test, such as amammogram,ultrasound (sonogram), orbreast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), shows potential signs of breast cancer.
Your healthcare provider may also order this test for you if you have breast symptoms or changes that might indicate cancer, such as:
What to Expect From the Procedure
Your healthcare provider’s office will provide instructions and prepare you beforehand. Make sure to let them know about allergies and medications and supplements you currently take. If you’re having a surgical biopsy, you may be instructed ahead of time to stop taking certain drugs, such as those that inhibit blood clotting (coagulation).
The type of procedure you’re scheduled for will determine the protocol you follow and your after-instructions.
Before
If you’re having a surgical biopsy, you will be instructed to stop eating and drinking for a specified number of hours prior to the procedure. Needle and punch biopsies do not require fasting.
If you have not already done so, you will be given a consent form to fill out upon your arrival. Make sure to read it thoroughly and ask any questions you have.
If you’re having a surgical biopsy, you will most likely meet the anesthesiologist prior to the procedure. Ask them any questions or concerns about the type of sedation you will be given.
Don’t use products like deodorant, powder, or lotion on your arm, underarms, breasts, or chest on the day of the procedure.Consumer goods like these sometimes contain aluminum and other minerals, which mimic the appearance of calcifications on imaging screens.
You will be given a hospital gown to put on. Wear comfortable clothing to change back into after your biopsy. Ask your healthcare provider if you should wear a stretchy brabig enough to accommodate a bandage. In some instances, your bra may be used to hold an ice pack in place during recovery or afterward.
During
If you’re not having a surgical biopsy, you will be awake during the procedure. Most biopsies take under an hour to complete from start to finish.
If imaging guidance is done, your body will be positioned to accommodate the type being used. You may be seated or positioned lying face up or face down on a raised table with openings for your breasts.
A numbing agent will be used on your skin before any needle insertion or cut is made. Your comfort level will be monitored throughout the entire procedure. You must remain still during the biopsy. If you’re uncomfortable or need to move, let your provider know immediately.
After extracting the tissue, a tissue marker (clip) may be placed in the affected area. This identifies the exact spot where the biopsy was done in case additional treatment is needed. You won’t feel the clip, but it will be visible on subsequent imaging tests.
When the biopsy is complete, pressure will be applied to stop any bleeding. If you had a surgical biopsy, your surgeon will stitch the surgical wound closed. Needle biopsies don’t usually require stitches. A sterile bandage will be placed over the area.
After
After the biopsy, you will rest for a period of time in a recovery area. If you had general anesthesia or sedation, you may not drive and will need to have someone pick you up and take you home.
If your pain increases significantly, you run a fever, or the wound leaks pus, inform your provider immediately. These symptoms may indicate infection.
Your provider will let you know when you can expect your biopsy results. This can take several days or up to a week.
Non-Cancerous Biopsy Results
Most breast biopsies come back as “benign,” meaning that no breast cancer was found. A benign breast biopsy result usually means that no treatment is needed.
Common benign diagnoses include:
Sometimes, breast biopsy results show “intermediate risk.” This means that no cancer was seen in the biopsy, but the biopsy raises some concern. Your provider may recommend doing another biopsy to investigate it further.
Possible intermediate-risk diagnoses include:
If your biopsy results come back with “high risk” findings, it means that while there is no cancer now, changes in your breast have a high risk of becoming cancerous in the future. Such lesions may need to be surgically removed to help prevent this risk.
High-risk diagnoses include:
Your healthcare provider will likely call to explain the breast biopsy result. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if something is unclear. Even if the result is benign, all women over age 40 should get a yearlybreast cancer screening.
What if the Biopsy Is Positive?
A positive breast biopsy result means that cancer cells were found. There are a few types of malignant (cancerous) results:
If you get a positive result, thepathologist’s reportmay also include additional information about the cancer, including:
Getting a positive cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and scary time. Even though you’ll want to move quickly, give yourself time to digest the information you’re receiving.
Also, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if that feels right for you. If and when you’re ready, talking to other people who have gone through this experience may also be helpful.
Summary
If an imaging test yields concerning results, your healthcare provider may recommend getting a breast biopsy to check for cancer.
If your biopsy is positive for cancerous cells, additional testing will be done, and a treatment plan will be put in place.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Core needle biopsy of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast biopsy.UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging.Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast.American Cancer Society.Surgical breast biopsy.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast biopsy.Canadian Cancer Society.Punch biopsy.UCSF Health.Biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis: Fine needle aspiration.MyHealth Alberta.Core needle breast biopsy: About this test.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Living Beyond Breast Cancer.Symptoms.UCLA Health.Medications to avoid before surgery.BreastCancer.org.Why can’t I wear deodorant to my mammogram?.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Caring for yourself after your image-guided breast biopsy.Duke Radiology.Breast biopsy results.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer hormone receptor status.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Core needle biopsy of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast biopsy.UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging.Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast.American Cancer Society.Surgical breast biopsy.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast biopsy.Canadian Cancer Society.Punch biopsy.UCSF Health.Biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis: Fine needle aspiration.MyHealth Alberta.Core needle breast biopsy: About this test.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Living Beyond Breast Cancer.Symptoms.UCLA Health.Medications to avoid before surgery.BreastCancer.org.Why can’t I wear deodorant to my mammogram?.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Caring for yourself after your image-guided breast biopsy.Duke Radiology.Breast biopsy results.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer hormone receptor status.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Core needle biopsy of the breast.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast biopsy.UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging.Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Cancer Society.Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast.American Cancer Society.Surgical breast biopsy.National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast biopsy.Canadian Cancer Society.Punch biopsy.UCSF Health.Biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis: Fine needle aspiration.MyHealth Alberta.Core needle breast biopsy: About this test.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.Living Beyond Breast Cancer.Symptoms.UCLA Health.Medications to avoid before surgery.BreastCancer.org.Why can’t I wear deodorant to my mammogram?.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Caring for yourself after your image-guided breast biopsy.Duke Radiology.Breast biopsy results.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer hormone receptor status.
American Cancer Society.Core needle biopsy of the breast.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast biopsy.
UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging.Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.
American Cancer Society.Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast.
American Cancer Society.Surgical breast biopsy.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.Breast biopsy.
Canadian Cancer Society.Punch biopsy.
UCSF Health.Biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis: Fine needle aspiration.
MyHealth Alberta.Core needle breast biopsy: About this test.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer stages.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer.Symptoms.
UCLA Health.Medications to avoid before surgery.
BreastCancer.org.Why can’t I wear deodorant to my mammogram?.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Caring for yourself after your image-guided breast biopsy.
Duke Radiology.Breast biopsy results.
American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer hormone receptor status.
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