:::: PROCEDURE : IMAGING GUIDED BIOPSY : FINE NEEDLE :.

Fine Needle Biopsy

Most breast biopsies are performed today using a needle with a small amount of local anesthesia. Needle biopsies are most often performed by a specially trained radiologist using x-ray or ultrasound to guide the needle to the area of concern.

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) involves the collection of cells using a small needle and syringe.

Needle biopsies can be performed at one-third to one-half the cost of surgical biopsies and are considered minimally invasive procedures that leave little or no sign of scar. Needle biopsies obtain only small samples of tissue. If microscopic examination of the cells or tissue obtained with needle biopsy show non-cancerous or benign tissue, the patient is spared the necessity of having an incision and an open surgical procedure, which may require a general anesthetic. If cancer cells are found, surgical removal of the suspicious area is performed for the purpose of removing all the cancerous tissue.