Comparing Types of Biopsies
Open Surgical |
Needle |
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Excisional |
Single Insertion/ |
Core Needle |
Fine Needle Aspiration |
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| Description | Cut is made in the breast to remove the entire tumor | Tissue sample is taken with a needle using gentle suction, which draws, cuts and removes tissue. | Tissue sample taken with a needle using a spring-loaded device, which cuts and removed tissue. | Tissue sample is taken using a thinner needle than a core needle. |
| Accuracy | Highly accurate | Highly accurate | Accurate | Less accurate |
| Scarring | External scar. Can change the look and feel of the breast. | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal |
| Anesthesia | General (asleep) or local with sedation | Local (awake) | Local (awake) | None |
Location where procedure is generally performed |
Operating room or outpatient setting | Doctor’s office or outpatient setting | Doctor’s office or outpatient setting | Doctor’s office |
| Consideration | Requires time to heal from surgery. Greater chance for infection and bruising than needle biopsy. | May not remove enough tissue for a definite diagnosis. | ||