Breast Biopsy: Core Needle vs. Fine Needle Biopsy

Welcome to connect @swal1234 rest assured core needle biopsy is the standard of care for breast biopsy. I found this on the topic,
https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/diagnosis/biopsies/core-needle/
It explains the different ways this is done. All of them sound scarier than they really are. 💕
I have a few of these different choices. I don’t believe seeding has ever been a problem for me.
Did your doctor talk to you about this? Do you have a lump, or a finding on an imaging?

Thank you! Yes they found a 4mm mass and I live in a rural area and they only have the option of doing a core needle rather than a fine needle biopsy. I haven’t been able to talk to a doctor yet only a nurse because I live in a small rural area the nurses take the questions and answer them. We don’t have enough doctors to take a call from each patient is what the nurse tells me. Thank you again! My mother had three different cancers and I cared for her until she died, so I just think I have fear from my experiences with her.

swal1234,

I was curious about this also. The following is information that I found on the internet.

Core-needle biopsy makes it possible to establish a final diagnosis more frequently than fine-needle biopsy, both in the case of benign and malignant lesions. It delivers more information about the nature of a tumor (mutation of HER-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors and Ki-67 index).

Thank you! I have been wondering if there was a reason why our facility only does the core.

Best wishes for everyone who reads this.
I follow but rarely comment.
I had biopsy in June 2023. Really didn’t know what to expect. Not one bit apprehensive.
During the 2 core sample, the surgeon said you will hear a little click, thus it clicked once for each sample. I asked what was the click, and he said he had inserted two titanium markers.

Being allergic to many metals, including titanium, I gasped, I am allergic to titanium. It is well noted in medical records, and always boldly stated on every questionnaire or survey.

Well that oops has left me sensing a tiny hot pin prick all the time. Every day.
Two weeks later, I had a high resolution abdominal MRI with contrast. With metal allergies noted, contrast should never have been ordered. Yet at that MRI with Gadolinium contrast, intense joint pain began before I came out of the machine, and I was unable to sit up and stand without assistance. The staff just pushed me through the door, advising to follow exit arrows. Thought my knees would explode, thumbs throbbing, every old injury came back to life. I spent the remainder of summer on a lot of bed rest.
Through this blog I discovered gadolinium toxicity, and joined a support group.

It is still painful. I had reported the reaction on MyChart last summer. The surgeon & oncologist have had a rather flippant attitude about these allergic reactions.

I have been diagnosed with ILC: however I am choosing alternate, holistic, immunotherapies. I have decided no more PET, or other imaging with contrasts or radioactivity. My choices.

Also refused ribociclib, no evidence it does any good for ILC. I have been on Letrozole since late July 2023. Recently, I have decided on an odd day only dose after reading its Safety Data Sheet. I do not take any other Rx meds.

I manage diabetes with organic raw veggie & fruit juicing & salads, which also ended 40-years of IBS. I am focusing on detoxing metals, and choosing plants that are proven to cause apoptosis, autophagy, and anti-angiogenesis to abnormal cells.

As I am rereading this, I feel the titanium clips taunting me.
Not sure I want them dug out and risk releasing cells that could become something else.

OBTW, the thickened mat of ILC is greatly diminished since June 2023.
I choose not to fear it.

Peace and comfort be with each of you. — Linda T. G.

I must admit I was shocked to read about all that you have been through. My heart goes out to you. Omg, it does give rise to thoughts about what I have allowed to be done to me, but I was lucky with no bad results. I have Clips in my breasts. I did not have a reaction thank God, but to do that without telling me? The trouble is we don't know the questions to ask.

Thank you for your kind reply.
We certainly need to be our own patient advocates, and ask better questions.
About titanium allergy, a 4-inch Rockwood screw was placed in my clavicle & scapula (1996) for AC fusion. It was removed a year later. The scars to clavicle are “areas of concern for mets to bone.” I have explained that, and other sites of previous surgeries or injuries. It is not metastasis to bone.
I cannot wear titanium jewelry, can wear some sterling and 14k gold or higher. The metal allergy followed anesthesia in 1972.
The area of concern on liver turned out to be what I said it was, an artifact from when gall bladder was removed, a hepatic stent or shunt in bile duct, following clearing of gallstones. Why won’t they verify with my medical record, rather than cling to suppositions?
Best wishes and peace.
Linda

Hi Linda, I am with you! The regular medical professions these days are very narrowly focused, only on their specific area of "expertise". Not looking at the whole person.
I am currently recovering from radiation treatment for Locally advanced breast cancer, which had spread into my skin 11 years after mastectomy. Apparently, quite an unusual development, as they were not very concerned. I had to insist they take a biopsy of little lumps which had developed in my axilla. Several Ultra Sounds showed no problems with my lymphnodes, but the skin lumps showed "small nests of breast cancer cells. This then spread to hardening of the skin on my chest wall.
I had no adjuvent treatment after my mastectomy but live very healthily on a wholefood plant based diet and enjoy exercising regularly. I do however have a lot of stress in my life due to the fact that my husband is high functioning autistic and has early dementia!!
I just wanted to write in support of of your statement that we need to be our own patient advocates. I certainly think the medical profession is doing the best they can but their concern is too limited to a specific area of treatment, whereas we need a whole person approach.
Best Wishes and Healing.

Ginni

I think the question to ask is what physician chooses to ignore documented allergies… that’s a legal case if you ask me.

I agree! If it's documented, I can't believe they would overlook the profile.