Breast Needle Biopsy

I had a regular needle biopsy in the office where they just stick the needle in, get some sample of the tumor and then send it off to the lab. not awful at all. in fact just like getting a shot. my best friend went into the office with me. (nothing like having it all hang out in front of a friend lol) took like 20 seconds. then done.

It was positive and I had masectomy, chemo and radiation.

2 years later a spot showed up in the other breast. It was on the mammograms for the past few years but looked bigger. So I had to have a needle guided biopsy that time. Bigger deal. It is done in an mri machine. they give you shots to numb the whole area. I didn't actually feel what they were doing just some pressure where it was being pushed on. that one took almost an hour.

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I have had this many many times...all were benign. One showed abnormal cells--MAJOR freak out, daughter was only 3 months old--only to be benign when they took the whole thing out.

They numb you and you barely feel it; it is like getting pricked with a needle, as the others have said, and as the needle withdraws it takes a tissue sample. Excellent, excellent way of getting a sample of what they just can't see. I would do it so you can sleep at night and not worry : )

It's not a procedure for nothing...it's why you go to the doctor, and you're worth it! I usually treat myself to a little shopping or something afterward for being brave : )

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Do the biopsy as soon as possible. I don't want to alarm you, but I don't think any doctors can truly know for sure without a biopsy. I was in your similar shoes in Sept. and was told it was 90% a fibroadenoma. I chose to have it surgically removed b/c my lump was causing me pain when I worked out and they tell you fibroademomas just kee growing and so I removed. I woke up from surgery expecting to be told it all went well and it was what they thought. I was so wrong. My lump ended up being stage 1 Triple negative Breast Cancer. I am 33 years old. If I would have waited much longer on their assumption is was just a benign fibroadenoma I could be in a much worse situation. I am now an advocate for making sure you do a biopsy to confirm. They just can't know for sure without a biopsy. If you have any questions feel free to contact me via this site. I don't want this to scare you b/c it is a small chance like they say, but always have it checked for 100%.

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I'm having one on Friday! The doctor said the same thing to me -- "I do expect it to be benign but we've been fooled on occasion." I haven't had this particular procedure (ultrasound guided) which sounds fairly painless as the poster below described. I had breast cancer 12 years ago, and at that time the surgeon just jammed a needle into the slippery moving lump to draw cells, with a very cold admonition to Stay Still. That sucked. The ones they do now, with local numbing and very precise positioning sound fairly easy. I warned the doctor that I'm terrible with needles, having just had an IV put in for the breast MRI and almost passing out. He said it's MUCH better than the needle for the IV and I shouldn't worry. I won't worry about the procedure but I would worry about having a lump assumed to be benign. Better safe than sorry, for sure. Go ahead and do it.

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It's a piece of cake - in and out in a few minutes. I had the same experience and we all agreed to move forward with it for my own peace of mind as well as that of my family's. Quick and painless.

I would go ahead and have it done just to make sure. Everything is probably fine, but you don''t want to worry and wonder. I had the procedure when I was 21. Scared..nervous..yes. But it was all very easy and painless and everything was fine.

I had a needle biopsy when I was 17 years old. Cancer runs in my family and my mom was freaking out and wanted the doctor to do it. It came back benign. It feels like getting a shot, uncomfortable but not awful pain. It probably is nothing but I am a worrier and I would get it done so I wouldn't worry about it anymore.

I have had it done. No biggie. I would have it done just for peace of mind.

That is definitely reassuring that he said it is most likely benign, but for me personally, I would want to be 100% positive it is benign. I say get the test. God forbid there is a problem, you need to know about it as early as possible so it can be treated. I have not had this situation myself so I can not share my experiences with you, but I have had young friends get diagnosed with breast cancer so I firmly believe in the "better safe than sorry" way of thinking. Good luck to you, I am sure it will all be fine :0)

I had an ultrasound on a lump and they found two more, so they did the biopsy. Everything is numbed and other than feeling a bit of pulling and the sound of the needle popping (its a spring loaded thing), it doesn't hurt, and I only had mild discomfort at the spot of entry for the needle. No stitches or anything other than a bandaid and some ice required.

If you are apprehensive, then let them do the biopsy. IT was no big deal and knowing for sure the lumps were benign was worth it. Two of mine were calcifications, one was a water cyst.

I've never been in this situation, but I'd totally do it, just to make sure. If it is benign, it's not "for nothing". It's wonderful news!

I've had a needle biopsy on a large lump that was growing on my thyroid and it really wasn't that bad - I would assume a needle biopsy is the same regardless of where it's done. The worst part was having to hold still but I didn't feel anything as they numbed the area.

I would have the biopsy done - better to overreact and it be nothing rather than to let it go and have it be something!

Good Luck =)

I had this done 10+ years ago. They do numb the area so and that is the most uncomfortable part, but not bad. The needle they use for the biopsy makes a lot of noise. They should demonstrate it for you before they start so that you know what to expect. The proceedure took maybe 20 minutes. I took some ice packs with me and went to lunch and a movie afterwards. I was a little sore, but not bad. Definately do this for your own piece of mind. That's what I did. They were fairly certain my lump was benign and it turned out to be a fibroadenoma. I still have that friend and it goes everywhere with me. I wish now that I had had them just take it out while they were at it. Best of luck and hugs to you. I had mine done at Sally Jobe on E. Bellview. As far as I'm concerned, they are the best and highly recommended by my OB/GYN.

I haven't been in your position, but (like everyone else has said!) I'd have it done just so I had an absolute answer. I would worry way too much if I didn't have a definite answer; I'd make up false symptoms and be calling my doctor all the time...