Types of Needle Biopsy

Fine Needle Biopsy, Core Biopsy, Vacuum Assisted Biopsy

Breast cancer and other lumps can be diagnosed by inserting a needle into the area in question and removing some tissue. To confirm that a lump is just a cyst or a benign solid lesion a fine needle aspiration can be performed which involves inserting a small needle similar to that used to take blood, usually under local anaesthetic. Suction is applied with a syringe to obtain some cells and these are place on a slide. This technique will give an indication as to whether something is benign or malignant (cancer) and is simple to perform. 

To obtain a better picture of what the lesion is, particularly if it is suspicious for malignancy, a core biopsy can be performed which is a slightly larger needle with a blade and chamber allowing a core sample of tissue to be obtained. Local anaesthetic is used with this type of biopsy and a few passes (samples) may be obtained.

Vacuum assisted biopsy is a new technique which is a little more involved and discussed below. 

Most biopsies will be performed under some form of image guidance either ultrasound, which is usually the simplest way, or if the lesion is not seen on ultrasound and a mammogram or MRI control. 

Although these procedures are well tolerated with good application of local anaesthetic patients may develop some bruising or occasionally a haematoma (blood collection). Patients are consented for these procedures prior to performing them and may be warned that there is a very small risk of causing a pneumothorax (lung collapse) in rare circumstances. Although unlikely this is a very treatable complication.