Doctor questioning biopsy results

Yes, a fine needle biopsy certainly could miss cancer cells - fine needles are used to aspirate cysts (which are fluid filled) but are not usually used on solid lumps. The exception is sometimes for teens and very young women who present with a lump that appears to be a fibroadenoma, which is the most common benign lump in younger women. How old are you?

With an inconclusive ultrasound, and since the fine needle biopsy found nothing, usually the next step would be a core needle biopsy. This is a thicker, hollow needle that retrieves a larger sample. I'm surprised that this wasn't suggested instead of a two-month follow-up.

FYI, the forum that you posted this is in for Moderator posts only. So I expect that the Mods will move this thread to the "Not Diagnosed But Worried" forum.

OK -- my mistake. It was actually a core needle biopsy. But maybe it's possible that missed cells, as well?

Did you have imaging done - a mammogram or ultrasound - prior to the core needle biopsy? Normally imaging would be done first, then a biopsy (if necessary). And what doctor did the core needle biopsy? Usually these are done by Radiologists at imaging centers.

Or was the ultrasound done after the biopsy the only imaging you had? Did a Radiologist do that imaging or the doctor?

When core needle biopsy results are discordant with imaging, i.e. the biopsy findings don't explain what the imaging shows, then normally the next step is an excisional (surgical) biopsy, so that the entire suspicious area can be removed and analyzed under a microscope. If the doctor you saw did not recommend this but instead suggested a 2 month imaging follow-up, then I couldn't imagine that the doctor believes this to be cancer or even highly suspicious.

Do you have copies of your biopsy report and your imaging reports? You have a right to these reports and you need to know exactly what the reports say to figure out what's going on. If you get a second opinion, which sounds like a good idea, that doctor will need to see the imaging and need these reports as well.

I really appreciate that; thank you. Yes, the initial ultra sound was inconclusive, so they scheduled the biopsy.

Second opinion coming up soon! thanks again.