Why do a fine needle vs core biopsy

Hi MikNik,

You should ask your doc about his decision-making process, but here's what I told another woman who asked pretty much the same question:

"They will always try to use the least invasive procedure that will get them the results they need.

Absolutely "best" for results/information is an excisional biopsy, where they take out the entire area that is of concern. Of course, that is a big procedure (surgery) and leaves big scars (which might be disfiguring and/or make later imaging harder to interpret).

One of the least invasive biopsies is a fine needle aspiration (FNA). Less painkiller required, smaller scars, etc. If it can get you the results you need, it's the best. But it often doesn't produce enough information.

Somewhere in between are various core needle procedures. Generally docs try to balance the various considerations. If they can get good information from a less-invasive procedure, they'll generally try that. Sometimes they are wrong, and have to move to a more invasive biopsy."

djmammo had a very helpful reply following mine. I'll ask him in a PM if he minds if I repost that reply here...or perhaps he'll choose to post it himself.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

I don't know why different Drs will do different types of biopsies. Different Drs have had different experiences and we are each 'different'. When the Radiologist can in the room after mammo and US, he said need to do biopsies and will be FNBs so he did them then. Called me at 8 the next morning with the path. report.

There was no scar.