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A breast core biopsy uses a needle to take a few small cores of tissue from a breast lump so it can be examined under a microscope. It is done under local anaesthesia, usually in the clinic under ultrasound guidance, and leaves only a 3–5mm mark. It is the common way to confirm whether a lump is cancer.
Finding out a breast lump needs a biopsy can be unsettling, but a core biopsy is a short, routine step that gives a clear answer. It takes a few small samples of tissue so the lump can be examined, because a scan alone cannot confirm whether a lump is cancer. At Melanie Seah Breast Specialist in Singapore, Dr Melanie Seah, a Consultant Breast Surgeon, performs core biopsies in the clinic under ultrasound guidance. This page explains what the procedure is, why it is needed, and what to expect on the day in 2026.
A breast core biopsy is a procedure that removes a few small cores of tissue from a breast lump using a needle, so the tissue can be examined. Imaging such as ultrasound or mammogram can show a lump but cannot, on its own, confirm whether it is cancer — a tissue sample can. Dr Melanie Seah performs core biopsies in the clinic in Singapore.
You may need a core biopsy when a lump is found — on self-examination, clinical examination or imaging — and needs a definite diagnosis. Because imaging alone cannot always tell a benign lump from a cancer, a tissue sample gives a reliable answer. This lets Dr Melanie Seah confirm the diagnosis before recommending any treatment.
The procedure is short and done under local anaesthesia. In brief:
Because local anaesthetic is used, most people feel pressure rather than pain during the biopsy, and some tenderness or bruising afterwards is normal. Most return to normal activities the same or next day. Dr Melanie Seah will advise on aftercare and when your results will be ready.
Most people feel pressure rather than sharp pain, because the area is numbed with local anaesthetic first. Mild tenderness or bruising for a few days afterwards is normal. At Melanie Seah Breast Specialist in Singapore, Dr Melanie Seah performs the biopsy under ultrasound guidance and advises on simple aftercare such as pain relief and keeping the dressing dry.
Results usually take a few days to about a week, as the samples are examined in a laboratory. The exact time depends on the tests needed. Dr Melanie Seah reviews the results with you at a follow-up appointment and explains what they mean and whether any further steps are needed.
Only a tiny mark, about 3–5mm, is left where the needle enters, and it usually fades over time. A core biopsy does not remove the lump — it takes small tissue samples — so it is far less invasive than surgery. Dr Melanie Seah uses local anaesthesia and ultrasound guidance to keep the procedure precise.
Yes — examining the tissue is the reliable way to confirm whether a lump is benign or cancerous, which imaging alone cannot do. This is why a core biopsy is a standard part of assessing a breast lump. Dr Melanie Seah uses the result to confirm the diagnosis before discussing any treatment.
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