When there is evidence pointing to the possibility that you may have breast cancer, further imaging studies (mammogram, ultrasound and MRI) and a tissue biopsy will help to determine your diagnosis. Tissue removed during the biopsy will be examined to determine the tumor type (histology) and possibly characteristics such as hormone receptor status and HER2 status.

You can obtain a written report as a result of the core needle biopsy called the pathology report. Gathering this information is important because it helps you understand if the tumor size is small or large, whether any lymph nodes are enlarged or whether you have inflammatory breast cancer. These factors will help guide your possible treatment.