Breast Matters - Early Detection

Early Detection — Biopsy

Core Biopsy: Palpable
In core biopsy, a larger needle is used to sample a "core" of tissue about 2mm x 20mm in size. It is relatively painless process, although there may be bruising. The technique for core biopsy changes according to whether the area of concern is palpable or non-palpable.

1.	An anesthetic is used to numb the area. It is either injected, or applied to the skin around the area of concern.
2.	A small cut in the skin is made where the core biopsy needle will enter. The needle retrieves about 5 "cores" of tissue from the center of the breast lump.
3.	Once retrieved, the tissue cores are placed in a dish. Under a microscope, the pathologist searches for abnormalities in size of the tissue cells or appearances of the nuclei.