Core Biopsy - SCARED!

I had 5 core biopsies and IMO they were nothing. The anxiety surrounding it is the worse aspect. For me no pain just pressure. I was however sore afterwards. The ice pack on and off every 20 minutes for the first 24 hours really helps. Good luck....

I worked in the same hospital as biopsy and surgery, and had the biopsy done after work, late in the afternoon, in an adjacent building of the hospital.  Biopsy was easy - ultrasound guided hollow core needle type - I was in a laying down position on my back with a slight incline to the table, it was relatively quick - about an hour from start to finish, only discomfort was the numbing agent, and only for a second or two.  I only felt pressure, no pain, had six cores taken from a 2.6cm mass.  I left with an ice pack in my bra, found a ticket on my car for parking in the patient area (I was an employee) so I stopped at the security office, explained and they rescinded the ticket.  Drove myself home and went about normal business, and worked the next day.  I had a physical, non-stop job at the time, and had no problems - just put the ice pack in my bra for 15 mins of each hour for that first day.  I have at least a dozen friends locally who have been diagnosed with breast cancer - none had issues with biopsy, other than one with a hemotoma - which was not painful, just a really large bruise.  I think some other types of biopsy may be uncomfortable due to positioning during the procedure, and some with difficult to reach biopsy sites - but, for the most part, this is a relatively easy thing.  Try not to worry.

Mine was ultrasound guided and the needle that was used had the ability to squirt lidocaine before it advanced toward the tumor, so after the initial needle stick I felt nothing, despite all the "now you'll feel some pressure" and other warnings. It was kind of fascinating, actually, watching it all on the screen. No bleeding or pain afterward, either. All in all, a great big nothing. I can see why it might be uncomfortable if no pain medication is used, since the needle is pretty big, but I'm not sure that would have been so awful either. I thought of it a getting a shot, and was astounded by the thousands of dollars my insurance company was charged for a "surgical procedure".

Etnasgrl, I totally understand what you mean. I was absolutely TERRIFIED!

But I had it done yesterday & agree with all the other ladies here, that it tuned out to be nothing.

I had the stereotactic biopsy where you lie on your stomach. And my calcifications were in a very difficult place to reach, right up against my chest wall.

Also, I have dense breasts, which I read somewhere can also make it more likely that you'll have some pain with your biopsy.

I did have a few little twinges of pain when he took the core samples, 6 in all. But each twinge only lasted about a second & was pretty minor. He did offer more lidocaine but I didn't feel the need for it. And believe me, I am not brave! If I'd been in a lot of pain I definitely would have accepted more lidocaine.

In my mind I had made this out to be some sort of medieval torture, with the doctor sadistically ramming the needle into me while nurses held me down on the table as I screamed & cried. I could not have been more wrong . The medical professionals know this is a stressful, scary thing & really are concerned with making you as comfortable as possible.

Once this is over for you you'll probably have the same reaction I did: If I'd known how easy this was gonna be I wouldn't have wasted my energy stressing out over it

I'll be keeping you in my prayers

Thank you so much etnasgrl for your prayers!! I really do believe in the power of prayer :

etna, I totally agree with everything everyone said here. Only part that hurt was the needle to numb me, and it wasn't that bad at all. Getting the numbing shot in my gums from the dentist is worse, IMO. I was fine the rest of the day, just used the little ice pack on and off. I was fine the next day.

Hi,

I recently had 3 core biopsy & felt no pain whatsoever. They injected lidocaine close to the skin line, then into the deeper tissues. Please don't be afraid!

Hi there! Good news . over the years I have had several. Always almost 100% painless, I just had a core biopsy last week on Thursday and had no problem whatsoever. They numb you like the dentist does. After that you only feel pressure. It was not a bad experience at all. I hope this helps you. I have had aspirations, stereotactic and the procedures where they place the clip for surgery. All painless each and every time. I think you will be fine. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a benign result! Let us know. Take care. I know this whole ordeal is very scary to go through!

I had a core biopsy last week and like others said, it was not nearly as bad at all as the fear and anxiety can lead you to believe. The needle for the numbing was like a small pinch or light bite and the rest was just a pressure type feeling. However, like another poster said, I have very dense breast tissue as well and while they were obtaining the sample I did have to ask for more numbing as I could start to feel them cutting the samples. Once they did though, it was painless. So, be your best advocate and DO NOT hesitate to let them know of ANY discomfort or pain. It's very easy to remedy with more numbing medication.

Afterwards the pain was only slight and icing helped tremendously. Deep breathes, try to stay calm, and be sure to speak up if on the small chance you experience discomfort during it- it's easily rectified with more numbing agent.

I wish you the very best outcomes on both the biopsy procedure itself and results.