Breast Unit
Core Biopsy
Core Biopsy of the Breast
 Dr Dorothy Goddard preparing for an ultrasound guided core biopsy |
On this page: What is it? Are there any risks? Who will do the test? Preparing yourself for the test What does it entail? How long does it take? Will it hurt? When will the results be available? |
What is a core biopsy of the breast?
Not everyone attending a breast clinic has a core biopsy. While a fine needle aspiration is a way of taking a few cells from an abnormal area, a core biopsy takes a larger specimen of tissue. This tissue can then be examined under a microscope.
A tissue sample often gives more information than fluid and cells from a fine needle aspiration.
In the RUH Breast Unit, most lumps or abnormal areas are biopsied using a core biopsy rather than a fine needle aspiration – and normally performed by the radiologist using the ultrasound to guide the needle.
If the abnormal area can only be seen on the mammogram, then the procedure needs to be done in association with the x-ray machine. This is called a stereotactic-guided biopsy. For this, the breast needs to be compressed in exactly the same way as for a mammogram, but for a longer period of time while the needle is put into the breast.
Are there any risks in having a core biopsy?
It should be stressed that the answer is generally no.
Occasionally, there may be some bleeding inside the breast and a bruise or swelling (haematoma) will form. Obviously care has to be taken that no infection occurs.
Needle procedures of this kind require the patient's verbal consent.
Who will you see when you have a core biopsy?
In this breast unit, the core biopsies are normally performed by the radiologist using the ultrasound or mammography machine to guide the needle, which is a very accurate way to sample the lump or abnormal area.
Are you required to make any special preparations
No, but you might like to wash your breasts before coming to the clinic in case a biopsy is performed. If you are taking tablets to thin the blood (anticoagulants), you should tell the doctor or radiographer.
What does a core biopsy entail?
The skin over the lump will be numbed by local anaesthetic, which may sting briefly.
A small nick may be made in the skin to assist in placing the biopsy needle close to the lump. The needle is generally attached to a small device, or ‘gun' which quickly fires the needle into the lump with a clicking noise and takes a narrow tubular core of tissue from it. The needle is then withdrawn from the breast and the specimen removed from it. The process may be repeated.
The radiologist normally uses the ultrasound sensor at the same time to make sure that the correct area is sampled.
If the abnormal area can only be seen on the mammograms, then the procedure needs the x-ray machine to help guide the needle. This is called a stereotactic-guided biopsy. For this, the breast needs to be compressed in exactly the same way as for a mammogram, but for a longer period of time while the needle is put into the breast.
How long will the core biopsy take?
This normally takes 5-10 minutes or 15- 20 minutes if it is necessary to use the mammography machine.
Will the core biopsy hurt?
If you have one, you will feel some stinging as the local anaesthetic goes in, but the area soon goes numb. During the actual biopsy, you will probably only notice the loud clicking of the biopsy ‘gun'.
If there is bruising and a swelling (haematoma) forms afterwards, this may be uncomfortable for a day or two afterwards.
When will the results be available?
Once the core biopsy has been performed, the sample will go to the pathology department for processing. This will take a few days and the results will be available within 5 working days.
You will be given an appointment to return to the breast clinic to discuss your results with a specialist within 7 days of the test being done.