Breast biopsy
Explanation
A breast biopsy takes a sample of cells or tissue from the breast for laboratory examination. It can help explain a lump or a change seen on an image. Being referred for a biopsy does not mean that cancer has already been found.
How is the sample taken?
Fine-needle aspiration uses a thin needle to collect cells or fluid. A core-needle biopsy takes small pieces of tissue. A surgical biopsy removes part or all of the area being investigated. A needle sample does not usually remove the whole lump.
Ultrasound or other breast images may guide the needle to the intended area. The method depends on the finding and where it is located.
What does the result mean?
A pathologist, a doctor who examines cells and tissue, reports what was found in the sample. Benign means noncancerous. The care team also checks whether the sample result explains the change seen on the breast images.
If the result and the images do not fit together, another sample or a different procedure may be needed. One noncancerous sample does not always settle the question about the whole area.
Confusing Medical Report?
BaluMed makes medicine understandable! Our extensive medical report explanation 'translates' complex medical terms from MRI findings and discharge summaries into easily understandable language. With a combination of artificial intelligence and medical expertise, we offer quickly available and reliable information.
- Extensive. Summary, explanation per section, glossary.
- Fast & Reliable. Doctor-reviewed, within 24 hours.
- Privacy. Documents are automatically anonymized.
- Multilingual. German, English, Spanish or Italian.