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Biopsy - entry point different to lump placement

Sme
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Hi,

I had a biopsy taken yesterday for a lump in my breast. I was so anxious that it wasn't until back home that I realised where they cut for the biopsy is in a different place to the lump. Is that normal? I was expecting it to be directly above the lump. Has anyone else experienced this or should I be worried? 

  • Offline

    Hello and thank you for the post

    People have posted previously querying entry points of needles in a biopsy, as it's common to assume that they must be directly in the middle or above the lump. You can't however really go by this though, as it will depend on the size and position  of the lump. It's not unusual to sometimes go in from the side or from what looks like a very different position .

    There are different breast biopsies so it will also depend on the type taken. If there was a problem feeling or finding it, if there was any doubt, then  the biopsy would be done under ultrasound to make sure they were in the right place.

    People in the breast clinics will be doing this procedure every day and are experienced in taking samples. The report will be able to show what sort of cells have been removed and if there hasn't been enough taken or it's inconclusive, another biopsy can then be taken.

    I hope you get the report back soon

    All the best

    Wanda

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Wanda

    Wanda, thank you so much for replying. I was thinking, he obviously knows what he is doing and I'm sure he used the ultrasound at the same point, but as I was really nervous as had to have a second mammogram and he had given a local anaesthetic, I wasn't fully paying attention. Thanks for reassuring me. I did try to search previous posts, but couldn't find anything x

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