The cells are sent to the pathology lab to be tested for cancer. A core biopsy is similar to a fine needle aspiration but uses a larger needle to remove a small amount of breast tissue. This is done using a local anaesthetic . The tissue taken is examined by an experienced pathologist . A surgical biopsy is done under a general anaesthetic .
More tissue is taken than in a core biopsy.
After your tests and operation, extra information will become available to your doctors. This helps them to work out the size of your cancer, whether it has spread and how best to plan any extra treatment. Staging The information from the tests you have is used to group your cancer on a 'staging' system. The most common staging system used is called the TNM system. M refers to whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.