Does core needle breast biopsy hurt?

Question

I have to go for a ultrasound guided core needle breast biopsy this week and am starting to get nervous? Does it hurt? What can I expect afterwards?

Answer 1

Core needle biopsy. A radiologist or surgeon uses a hollow needle to remove tissue samples from a breast lump. As many as 15 samples, each about the size of a grain of rice, may be taken then sent to a pathologist to be analyzed for malignant cells. The advantage of a core needle biopsy is that it removes more tissue for analysis. Sometimes your radiologist or surgeon may use ultrasound to help guide the placement of the needle.

Core needle biopsies are also obtained simply under local anesthesia. It will not be pain full at all like an open surgical incisional biopsy which is rarely needed for diagnosis because of the needle techniques.

Please therefore do not worry and it will not hurt you at all. Depending on the biopsy results further treatment will be made-

Answer 2

Does A Breast Biopsy Hurt

Answer 3

The only actual pain you will feel is the numbing injections prior to the actual biopsy. The biopsy samples are taken with a spring loaded apparatus that works so quickly that it is over before you realize what happened.

After an ultrasound guided needle biopsy your breast may have a slight bit of bruising afterward but no pain during the procedure and only a bit of swelling and bruising afterward. Going to the dentist for a large filling is much worse in my opinion.
The hard part is waiting for the results.

Answer 4

Personally I would wait the month and see. The chances of you having breast cancer are so slim and I would only have a core biopsy if I had no other option. I found the core biopsy the worst thing I have had through my whole journey with breast cancer. Looking back I can't say it hurt at the time but it wasn't a nice experience and it left my breast very bruised afterwards. I did see everything the doctor was doing and it's more than just a needle.

Answer 5

The worst part is the needle used to numb the area. Actually, it is not worse than a bee sting. The core needle biopsy is unobtrusive and the results are back the next day. It is not painful afterward and leaves no permanent mark. It also allows the surgery to be the first real cut into the tumor so there is less chance of it spreading. The procedure will allow them to judge the type and class. Mine was treated, surgically removed and I started 'mammosite' radiation within the week. Three weeks later my cancer was gone and I am still cancer free. Good luck, you are in my prayers.

Answer 6

When I had mine done I felt the prick of the needle when they numbed it. When they did the actual biopsy I could feel the pressure, but no pain. It only took about 5 minutes from start to finish.

Afterwards the area was a little tender and I had a quarter sized bruise on the area that lasted about a week.

Hang in there!! There are lots of us who have been down that road, you're doing the right thing by getting it all checked out!!

Answer 7

I have been doing a LOT of research on Stereotactic Breast Biopsy and pain associated with it. If you have DENSE BREAST tissue (often as a result of not having children), it seems that the pain is level can be quite high to excruciating. I have Fibromyalgia and just having someone poke me in the arm, cross my legs wearing jeans and having the seam press against my leg, etc. will cause pain - a poke can last hours. The 2nd Mammogram when they tightened the "screw" almost sent me out of my mind. I hurt for over 6 hours and was tender for another 24 hours. Since they use the Tightened Mammography to hold to FIRMLY in place for 30 to 45 minutes, there is NO WAY I am willing to do the Stereotactic Biopsy. Apparently NO place offers a sedative or complete numbing of the area to be tortured as they need you to be physically capable to climb up on their table, drop your breasts through the hole(s) and then get up off the table under your own power after. If you do not have Dense Breast Tissue and a good group that will locally anesthetize you well, you may be one of the lucky ones who experience no to minor pain. From what I understand the people doing the Biopsy do not ask or discuss Breast Tissue Density - so it is up to you to protect yourself from can seem Medieval Torture. One of the best sites was The Cancer Forum - Excruciating pain from Stereotactic Biopsy. Also most informative was the article "Stereotactic large-core needle breast biopsy: analysis of pain and discomfort related to the biopsy procedure" avail at this site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2668619/

If you need to have this procedure done be sure you have done your homework and ASK Questions BEFORE you are on the table. If I could I would opt for a Dr. where I could grab on to as delicate a part of them as they will of me and recommend "We re not going to hurt each other are we?" Since that is most unlikely just remember YOU are the only one who can help yourself.

Answer 8

I just had one 5/22/15. All my anxiety beforehand was totally unnecessary. The numbing shot was less than a flu shot and after that there was no pain, just a little pressure as he used the spring loaded device to remove the samples. It was over before I knew it. I had some tenderness for a day but now two days later, all feels fine. The ice pack I used several times afterwards prevented any bruising. Waiting for the results is the hard part. If your doctor says you need this procedure - do not put it off. It was truly no big deal but saving your life is!!

Answer 9

i have breast cancer and had a core needle breast biopsy, and i wont lie to you it was so painful i just curled up on the table after she finished. my husband was in surgery at the time and they gave me ice packs to help close the hole and the swelling. i was actually back and blue for over a week where the biopsy was done. hope your bio. goes better. i guess it depends on the person. everything else seems to. good luck and God Bless.

Answer 10

Yes, mine hurt a lot, like all the local missed the spot and I felt exactly wherethe spring loaded needle pierced into my breast w/the pain radiating all over and afterwards a few days. Expect bruising and bleeding as well.