Health Information
Breast Biopsy
Risks
The possible risks from a breast biopsy include:
- An infection at the biopsy site. An infection can be treated with Reference antibiotics Opens New Window.
- Bleeding from the biopsy site.
- Not getting a sample of the abnormal tissue.
- Dizziness and fainting.
Call your doctor immediately if:
- Your pain lasts longer than a week.
- You have redness, a lot of swelling, bleeding, or pus from the biopsy site.
- You have a fever.
Core needle and stereotactic breast biopsies may leave a small round scar. Open biopsies leave a small straight line scar. The scar fades over time. A fine-needle biopsy usually does not leave a scar.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 29, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
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