In some cases, biopsies can miss breast cancer.
How can a needle biopsy miss breast cancer?
With needle biopsies, this can happen if the needle takes a tissue or cell sample from the wrong area or if there is a problem with the sample. And, even if samples are taken from the correct area, false negative results can occur if the pathologist misdiagnoses cells or tissue as benign when in fact, they are cancer.
Learn more about needle biopsies.
How can a surgical biopsy miss breast cancer?
With surgical biopsies, it is less likely that a cancer will be missed, but this can still happen if the wrong area of tissue is removed. The use of needle- and wire-localization procedures and follow-up mammograms and X-rays of tissue samples help limit this problem.
Learn more about surgical biopsies.
Seeking a second opinion
- You should feel comfortable seeking a second opinion before your biopsy or after, when you have the results.
- Most health plans will allow you to seek a second opinion, as long as the second health care provider is a member of your health plan.
Learn more about seeking second opinions.
Updated 10/2111
