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Tuesday, May 13, 2008 m. asks

Q: Hi - what determines whether you get a core needle or fine needle biopsy?

I went in for a routine mamm & they asked me to come back in 6 mos which i just did last week. They think they see an enlaged (by a millimeter) lymph gland in my left breast almost attached to my chest wall. Now they want me to have a needle core biopsy. Why not just a fine needle aspiration (FNA)? Why do they need to punch a bigger hole in me? I'm pissed they didn't even offer the FNA as an option - only the coring. Plus, as I explained to the 60 yr old white, male (of course) doctor, I've had a mild case of herpes since 1981 which your system is constantly fighting at a low level. When I get close to an outbreak I can literally feel the lymph nodes in my neck swell. "Really??" was his response. Where the hell did he get *his* medical degree, was all I could think... I worry I am getting an unneccesary hole punched in me...thoughts? (I know - better safe than sorry). m.
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5/13/08 6:14am

Hi m. - Core needle biopsy usually allows for a more accurate assessment of a breast mass than fine needle aspiration because more of the area is sampled, and it allows the pathologist to see abnormal cells in relation to the surrounding small sample of breast tissue taken in the specimen. In other words, you can often learn more by getting a broader view. Good luck! - PJH

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