Large core needle biopsy, TruCut or KlearCut .histological examination

• Minimally invasive, low cost, can be performed under mammographic guidance
• There is a risk of seeding core needle tracks with viable cancer cells, possibly increasing the risk of local recurrence and systemic spread
• 95% accuracy after three core have been taken
• Because of sensibility lower than 100% (false negative results possible) the benign diagnosis must be confirmed with incisional or excisional biopsy

Incisional biopsy

• Indicated in tumors too large to be completely excised without a considerable esthetic sacrifice
• Invasive, uncomfortable for the patient

Excisional biopsy

• The best method of breast biopsy
• Invasive, uncomfortable for the patient
• In small or impalpable breast tumors the excisional biopsy is done under stereotactical guidance with wires placed under mammographic control
• The standard quantitative radioimmune hormone receptor assay requires about 1 g of unfixed tumor on ice (warm ischemia reduces receptor levels).