Core needle biopsy for soft tissue sarcoma

A core needle biopsy is a procedure where a doctor takes a sample from a suspicious lump or area of tissue. A specialist (pathologist) looks at the cells under a microscope.

A core biopsy helps your doctor decide if it is soft tissue sarcoma. 

What happens?

The doctor uses a needle with a special cutting tool on the end. You usually have more than one biopsy taken. You will have a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area before the doctor puts the needle in. 

If the lump is near the surface of your body and easy to get to, the doctor will probably just feel it to guide the needle in. If the lump is deeper or harder to feel, the doctor will use an ultrasound scan or CT scan to see where the needle is going and guide it to the right place.

After the core needle biopsy

The doctor puts the samples of tissue into a small pot. They send them to the laboratory so that they can be examined under the microscope to look for cancer cells.

This procedure can be uncomfortable and your doctor may suggest taking mild painkillers.

Getting your results

You usually get the results within 2 weeks. The doctor who arranged the biopsy will give them to you.

Waiting for test results can be worrying. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.