The role of needle biopsy in the diagnosis of breast lesions.

14G core biopsy has contributed enormously to the pre-operative diagnosis of breast malignancy, although it is still subject to certain shortcomings. It is important to review core biopsy results in a multidisciplinary environment, especially when dealing with benign results, to minimize the potential for false negative cases. In certain circumstances, FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) still has an important part to play although this is very much dependent upon local circumstances. Decisions about the relative values of FNAC and core biopsy should be taken by the multi-disciplinary breast team within the context of its own results and practice, but should the use of FNAC be continued, the maintenance of the relevant expertise is of major importance. Vacuum assisted breast biopsy instruments should further increase the rate of preoperative diagnosis of impalpable lesions considered suspicious on mammography.