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.
