Ultrasound-Guided Core Biopsy
If your provider suspects breast cancer, you may need to undergo an ultrasound-guided core biopsy to remove tissue samples for examination in the lab. This type of biopsy can answer whether an area of concern is cancerous. We often recommend core biopsy over surgery because it can provide the same information with less discomfort and scarring.
A radiologist in our breast imaging unit performs the biopsy. This biopsy technique uses ultrasound to locate the area, and a needle slightly larger than that used in fine-needle aspiration to remove a core of tissue from the mass. Often, the core biopsy takes only a few minutes.
What to Expect
You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area, and then your doctor will insert the core needle into your breast where the lump is located. The core needle has a special cutting edge. The doctor releases the cutting edge to collect a core of tissue. This process is usually repeated several times in order to collect multiple samples.
Sometimes, your doctor may need to use stereotactic equipment to do the core needle biopsy. A stereotactic core biopsy uses mammography to locate the area of concern. This type of procedure is typically done to biopsy microcalcifications.
Core needle biopsy may leave you with some bruising, but not usually a scar. We send the tissue samples to the pathology department for examination and final diagnosis. This review usually takes five business days. You can call your healthcare provider or ordering physician for the results.
Results
If the results indicate breast cancer, the test is considered extremely accurate. On the other hand, certain pathology results, such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), would require a surgical biopsy to obtain additional information. Atypical hyperplasia (abnormal cells in the milk duct) and LCIS (abnormal cells in the milk producing glands) are benign conditions, but could be markers for breast cancer risk. Therefore, ask your health care provider to refer you to the BreastCare Center to make an appointment with one of our breast specialists for evaluation.
