home / cancer center / cancer a-z list / breast biopsy index / breast biopsy article

Breast Biopsy

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

Quick GuideBreast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

What about pain and complications from a breast biopsy?

Except for a minor sting from the injected anesthesia, patients usually feel no pain before or during a procedure. After a procedure, some patients may experience some soreness and pain as well as bruising and minor skin discoloration. Usually, an over-the-counter drug is sufficient to alleviate any discomfort.

The risk of complications, such as infection and bleeding, is small for nonsurgical procedures and slightly higher for surgical procedures.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of nonsurgical procedures versus surgical breast biopsies?

Generally, nonsurgical biopsies are less stressful, do not disfigure the skin, leave no internal scar to interfere with the accuracy of future mammograms, and minimize the risk of complications.

However, nonsurgical biopsies are not always as reliable as surgical biopsies in producing a diagnosis, and the results at times may be inconclusive. For this reason, some patients who undergo a nonsurgical biopsy must also undergo a follow-up surgical biopsy.

What are the different types of breast biopsy procedures and what do they involve?

Breast biopsy procedures include

fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB),
core needle biopsy (CNB),
vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, and
excision biopsy (surgery).

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/5/2016

Next: How is a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) done?

PREV 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NEXT

Subscribe to MedicineNet's Cancer Report Newsletter

By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Learn about breast cancer causes, symptoms, tests, recovery, and prevention. Discover the types of treatments such as surgery and drug therapies as well as the survival rate for breast cancer.

Read more: Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Patient Comments

Breast Biopsy - Experience
Describe your experience with your breast biopsy.
Post View 77 Comments
Breast Biopsy - Reasons
Why did you have a breast biopsy?
Post View 12 Comments
Breast Biopsy - Types
What kind of breast biopsy procedure did you undergo? Please describe your experience.
Post View 2 Comments
Breast Biopsy - Suspicious Growths
How did you discover you had a suspicious breast growth?
Post
Breast Biopsy - Experience
Please share your experience with breast biopsy.
Post View 2 Comments