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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffIt may take a few days before the results of a core needle biopsy are available. After the biopsy procedure, your breast tissue is sent to a laboratory, where a doctor who specializes in analyzing blood and body tissue (pathologist) examines the sample using a microscope and special procedures. The pathologist creates a pathology report that is sent to your doctor, and your doctor will share the results with you. The pathology report includes details about the size, color and consistency of the tissue samples, the location of the biopsy site, and whether cancer cells were present.
If your breast biopsy reveals normal results or benign breast changes, ask your doctor whether both your radiologist and pathologist agree on the findings. Sometimes the opinions of these two experts don't match — for instance, your radiologist may find that your mammogram results suggest breast cancer but your pathology report reveals normal breast tissue. In this case, you may need more testing and, possibly, surgery to further evaluate the area.
If your pathology report says that breast cancer is present, it will include information about the cancer itself, such as what type of breast cancer you have and additional information, such as whether the cancer is hormone receptor positive or negative. You and your doctor can then develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs.
- Valea FA, et al. Breast diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- James JJ, et al. The breast. In: Adam A, et al. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-10163-2..X5001-5--TOP&isbn=978-0-443-10163-2&uniqId=259733166-219. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- For women facing a breast biopsy. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003176-pdf.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- MRI-guided breast biopsy. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbimr. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbius. Accessed June 21, 2011.
- Pathology reports. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/pathology-reports. Accessed June 21, 2011.
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