Readers Respond: How Did You Choose Your Breast Biopsy Method?

Responses: 48

By Pam Stephan, About.com Guide

Updated November 03, 2008

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Had my second stereotactic biopsy 7 days ago. This one took two hours on the table, complicated by breast size and bleeding, with my stiff neck hurting intensely from the position. Couldn't use a supportive pillow as it raised my breast. I still look mutilated and feel pain. And, I still feel totally debilitated. There must be a better way to do this.
—Guest Judith B.

After my ultrasound - I had the core needle biopsy. The female nurses prepped me for the worst pain and explained everything to me. It was a little uncomfortable with the numbing needle going in - and then I did not feel a thing. I did not feel the needle taking the 5 samples either. That area was sore for about 4 days.
—Guest guest

i have cystic disease of the breast. dr found 2 nodules left and right one more hetrogeneous in nature - both are birad's 3 and have calcifiations. my only option is surgical biopsy because the cysts are too small for a needle biopsy. my problem is that i live in malaysia right now where you just can't get a straight answer on your questions.
—anitahelbren

Had a stereotactic biopsy this week. Really believed the bs about quick and uncomfortable but that I would just feel pressure. Am a strong person with high pain threshold, but this was extremely painful. First jab ok, but the rest just pure pain with no offer to numb me further or stop. Just to hang in there. I had visions of women being tortured in third world countries or being a living captive of Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs getting sewed up on my left breast. It hurt then, it hurt after. Even though I've received a benign diagnosis, I'm still traumatized and don't feel like celebrating. I would go elsewhere, make sure I would receive adequate anesthesia/numbing, or even opt for painless full on surgery before going through this again.
—Guest helen

I had two - the open surgical biopsy and a fine needle aspiration. I would choose the surgical biopsy again without even a second thought. I found the fine needle aspiration incredibly painful. Recovery from the surgical biopsy was simple in comparison!
—Guest N

I recently had a biopsy because my mammogram suggested that I had abnormal microcalcifications. I now have a diagnosis of benign fibroadenoma. I am glad that it is benign, but there is some pain during recovery. However, the procedure was not as bad as I thought it would be, and the staff was very good, and administered additional Lidocaine.
—Guest R. Falk

I had many mamos, compression spots, and ultrasounds. Dr decided on stereotactic core biopsy. Very scared, but agreed as this spot/lump has been making its appearance since 2005. Have never been biopsied, just told it was fatty tissue. The spot stayed the same; no changes over the years. 1/2009 mamo same thing. Different breast specialist. After reading all those posted painful stories. I must say I had the BEST radiologist.Was not given an anticipated cocktail. Just shots full of Novocaine, that's the part I feared the most. The piercing shot of Novocaine passing your nerves before it is numb! I did not feel the shot or the probe.I witnessed everything on the ultrasound screen, conversing all the while and getting a mini crash course of this very much understandable, scary procedure. Took 10 mins. was bandaged with ice packs, a little tender, just like before your period after Novocaine wore off. No problems.Most scary part, waiting for results. Diagnosis: fibroadenoma; no cancer! :)
—Guest SHANA

My doctor didn't like something on my mammogram. Sent me for ultrasound and they told me that I needed a stereotactic biopsy. NO other options were discussed and very little info. I'm no dope so I researched this - NOW I want an open excisional Biopsy. I'll never be happy with negative results they give me any other way and if it is cancer I want it out - NOW. I'll tell you the HUGE $ making industry of needle Biopsy is forcing women to have this procedure no matter what would be the best choice - God Bless you all and Do Your Homework!
—Guest mrscinidaho

Don't let anyone fool you - this is quite painful pressurewise as you are not numbed until they are ready for the needle to be inserted. Sorry to say. Waiting for diagnosis is not fun either... good luck!
—Guest judi

i didn't choose - the doctor had done that for me. first i had a FNA, then now going into surgery for a open biopsy.
—Guest guest tng

i had one done and it is extremmely painful I still have a little pain 5 weeks later.
—Guest strawberry

It was painless, but creepy. Not bad at all, but now for some reason since I just turned 20 i have to get a follow up to keep receiving birth control, which makes no sense to me. Hopefully my Dr. will explain it better in a couple of days - I was going through a free clinic for the pills. They said the biopsy was too old to use to prove I don't have cancer.
—Guest lisa

my radiologist recommended a ultrasound core biopsy done, and it was a painful experience.
—Guest blueberry

Having 3 biopsies - 2 using ultrasound and another sterotactic, because couldn't see on ultrasound
—Guest becky

I had a sterotactic breast biopsy two years ago. Now another doctor request for biopsy without knowing my other biopsy to compare. So i said no and that he has to see the other biopsy i had to compare.
—Guest rose