Needle biopsy of the breast
A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
Review Date: 06/26/2008
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of
Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
