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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffIt may take a few days before your biopsy results are available. After the biopsied breast tissue has been studied, the pathologist writes up a detailed report containing information about the tissue samples taken. The pathology report includes details about the size, color and consistency of the tissue samples, the location of the biopsy site, and whether cancer cells were present.
If your breast biopsy reveals normal results or benign breast changes, it's important to know whether both your radiologist and pathologist agree on the findings. Sometimes the opinions of these two experts don't match — for instance, your radiologist may find that your mammogram results suggest breast cancer but your pathology report reveals normal breast tissue. In this case, you may need more testing and, possibly, surgery to further evaluate the area.
If breast cancer is present, the pathology report provides important information about the cancer itself, such as what type of breast cancer you have and whether the cancer is hormone receptor positive or negative. You and your doctor can then develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs.
- For women facing a breast biopsy. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_6x_For_Women_Facing_a_Breast_Biopsy.asp?sitearea=. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Biopsy. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/biopsy.jsp. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Valea FA, et al. Breast diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142893743-12/0/1524/96.html?tocnode=53759192&fromURL=96.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- James JJ, et al. Women's imaging. In: Adam A, et al., eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2005:1173.
- Stereotactic (mammographically guided) breast biopsy. The American College of Radiology and The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=breastbixr. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Your pathology report. Breastcancer.org. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/path_report/. Accessed June 11, 2009.
