What Are The Differences Between An FNA, Core Biopsy & Stereotactic biopsy?
Caroline O'Sullivan • March 13, 2025
When it comes to breast biopsies, understanding the options can make the process less daunting. At Breast Imaging Victoria, we offer tailored biopsy techniques to ensure the most accurate results and best care:
🔍 Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA):
- A quick, minimally invasive procedure under ultrasound, using a very thin needle to collect cells or fluid.
- Commonly used for areas with fluid components, such as cysts or abscesses.
- Provides fast results, making it ideal for straightforward fluid-related concerns.
🔍 Core Biopsy:
- Uses a slightly larger needle to take a small piece of tissue from a solid lump for more detailed testing.
- Done under ultrasound guidance for accuracy.
- Provides key information to guide the next steps.
🔍 Stereotactic (Mammogram-Guided) Biopsy:
- Performed for changes seen only on mammograms, like tiny calcium deposits (calcifications).
- Uses mammography to pinpoint the area precisely.
- Essential for investigating hard-to-see abnormalities.
- The patient may be sitting or lying down depending on the location of the area.
Every biopsy is chosen based on the unique findings from your imaging and your doctor’s recommendation. At Breast Imaging Victoria, we’re here to guide you through the process with care and expertise.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re committed to helping you every step of the way.
At Breast Imaging Victoria, we believe breast health starts with knowledge. That’s why we’re proud to offer patients access to iPrevent - an evidence-based breast cancer risk assessment tool developed by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and endorsed by the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) . 🔎 What is iPrevent? iPrevent is a free, online tool designed to help women understand their personal breast cancer risk. It combines detailed personal and family history with validated scientific models to estimate an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer over their lifetime. ✨ Why does it matter? Not all women face the same level of risk. Age, breast density, family history, lifestyle factors, and genetic background all influence breast cancer risk. iPrevent makes it easier to translate those risk factors into meaningful, personalised information. 💬 At BIV, how do we use it? Patients have the option of completing the iPrevent risk assessment while waiting for their imaging appointment. This information helps our radiologists and multidisciplinary team personalise future imaging surveillance and make sure you receive the right level of monitoring for your risk profile. 🩺 Benefits of iPrevent at BIV: - Empowers patients with a clearer understanding of their breast cancer risk - Supports conversations with your GP or breast specialist - Guides decisions on screening frequency (annual vs biennial) and imaging type (mammogram, ultrasound, contrast-enhanced mammography) - Provides peace of mind by turning risk factors into a practical plan 📣 Breast Imaging Victoria is committed to being more than just an imaging clinic — we’re a partner in your long-term breast health journey. Tools like iPrevent help us make care more proactive, personalised, and effective . You are welcome to contact us if you have further questions.
While mammograms remain a crucial part of breast screening, ultrasound is the workhorse when it comes to monitoring implant health and detecting complications. At Breast Imaging Victoria, we routinely use high-resolution ultrasound in combination with mammography to give a clearer, more complete picture. Here’s what ultrasound can help with: ✅ Silent implant ruptures It can detect small tears or leaks -even if you don’t have symptoms. For example you can get ruptures within your implant shell (intracapsular ruptures) which might not be physical noticeable but can be seen under ultrasound. A common sign is the stepladder sign as seen in the image posted. ✅ Capsular contracture Ultrasound helps measure the thickness of scar tissue forming around your implant, indicating how severe the contracture may be. ✅ Implant positioning issues We can identify signs of bottoming out, rotation, displacement or herniation. ✅ Peri-implant complications From fluid (seroma), blood (hematoma), or infection (abscess), ultrasound helps us catch issues early -before symptoms worsen. ✅ Cancer screening In augmented or dense breasts, ultrasound is often more accurate in detecting small breast masses or suspicious lesions. ✅ Avoiding unnecessary MRIs Ultrasound provides a cost-effective, radiation-free alternative for ongoing implant surveillance in many cases. ✅ Procedure guidance Ultrasound also allows precise needle guidance if a biopsy or aspiration is needed near the implant. ✨ At BIV, we tailor imaging to each patient. For women with implants and remaining breast tissue, we usually recommend both mammogram + ultrasound (unless your referral says otherwise). If you’ve had reconstruction post-mastectomy, ultrasound alone is usually appropriate. 📣 Have breast implants? Talk to your GP about getting referred to a specialist breast imaging clinic. Early detection applies to everyone - and we’re here to help you stay one step ahead.
At Breast Imaging Victoria, we regularly perform specialised mammograms for women with breast implants using implant displacement views (the Eklund technique), to ensure we capture as much breast tissue as possible — especially what’s hidden behind the implant. This allows us to see up to 85% of the breast tissue, regardless of implant type or size. 👉This specialised technique gently pushes the implant back towards the chest wall while the breast tissue is pulled forward and imaged separately. This ensures clearer, more accurate results. It may sound uncomfortable, but don’t worry — we apply soft, controlled compression to keep things as comfortable as possible while ensuring diagnostic quality. Many patients tell us they feel very little during the displaced views because the implant buffers the pressure. 🩻 Our radiographers are trained in this technique and perform it daily. These extra views are important because standard mammograms may not always see around or through the implant — especially when looking for subtle changes or early signs of cancer. 👩⚕️ Whether you have saline or silicone implants, both are handled the same during mammography — neither is better or worse in terms of compression or image clarity. ✨At BIV, we tailor every scan to the individual. For those with implants and breast tissue (not post-mastectomy), we usually combine mammogram and ultrasound to give the clearest picture possible. 🗓 The current recommendation is for women aged 45–70 to have a mammogram every 2 years - and that includes women with implants. If you have risk factors, screening may begin earlier or happen more frequently. Talk to your GP. Have questions? We’re here to help you understand your options and feel confident in your care.
