$Unique_ID{BRK01449}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is a Needle Stick Biopsy a Reliable Test?}
$Subject{needle stick biopsy breast special procedures laboratory tests lump
aspiration aspirated lumps bumps thyroid masses lymph glands tissues tumor
cysts cyst biopsies needles breasts procedure lab test bump mass tissue
tumors}
$Volume{P-19}
$Log{
Aspiration Biopsy*0001905.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is a Needle Stick Biopsy a Reliable Test?


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QUESTION:  When my sister told me she was to have a biopsy of a lump in her
breast, we spent many hours discussing this procedure.  When she finally went
to the doctor, all he did was stick a needle in her breast instead of cutting
out a piece of tissue as you had mentioned in your column.  She has now been
told that everything is all right with nothing to worry about.  Is this a
reliable test, and can we both stop worrying now?

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ANSWER:  A skillfully performed fine needle aspiration biopsy can often be an
accurate, efficient and cost effective method for evaluating a breast lump and
obtaining a diagnosis.  Rather than cutting out tissue for examination under
the microscope, the cells are sucked out or "aspirated" through the needle,
and these cells can be stained and microscopically examined as any other
tissues.  The technique was first made popular back in the 1930's at the
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, but declined in usage over the
following years.  However, when the procedure was perfected and refined in
Europe during the 50's and 60's it once again became a widely used technique.
It is now used to evaluate many types of lumps and bumps, such as thyroid
masses and enlarged lymph glands, as well as to obtain cells and tissues from
the lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate.  It may serve as an important
first step in establishing a diagnosis, determining whether or not a mass is a
malignant tumor or merely a benign mass.  In the case of cysts (fluid filled
masses), it may even serve as a treatment by removing the liquid from the
cyst.  In most cases it is a relatively painless procedure, and is inexpensive
as well, with average costs running from $75 to $100.  The rate of false
positives for a fine needle aspiration biopsy of a breast mass runs from 0
percent to 4.1 percent, but the false negatives may run much higher, as great
as 31 percent according to some studies.  However, the results must be
interpreted in light of the physical examination, history and other tests that
may have been performed.  I am sure that if the physician had any doubts about
the reliability of the results, he would have requested an additional test,
perhaps even an open biopsy, where the tissue is cut away.  From the details
in your letter, I believe that both you and your sister can be reassured and
stop worrying now.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.