The biopsy, how tissue is examined

Only a biopsy provides a confirmed diagnosis. With a fine needle, a small tissue sample is taken from the area of concern and examined in the lab. The procedure is minor and done under local anesthesia, usually guided by ultrasound or mammography.

In the lab, a pathologist assesses whether the tissue is benign or malignant. If it is a tumor, its characteristics are also determined: what the cells look like, how quickly they divide, and which receptors they carry. This information later guides the treatment. Tumor subtypes

The wait for the result is often the hardest phase. Good to know: most biopsies end with the all clear.