core biopsy tomorrow worried

I was diagnosed initially with stage 4 bc in Sept 03. I've been on chemo ever since (taxol/herceptin then taxotere/carbo/herceptin).

Most of the mets have been cleared. Still one in the abdomen.

My last CT scan showed increased thickening in left breast (site of bc). It could be lymphodema -- I've had a lymph node disection - and a swollen breast ever since (June 04).

But it could be more cancer.

So my docs are doing a breast MRI and a core biopsy.

I'm wondering what to expect with a core biopsy. Is it very painful?

I'm also, of course, worried that it will show progression.

Thanks in advance. Elayne.

[StephN]

Hi -
Well, you have been through a lot already and this is not such a big deal. You will get a little numbing of the area, then there is a sort of "gun" with a small blade that will be "shot" into the area they want to test, and out comes a very thin slice of tissue. I had five samples taken - and guess what - none of them hit my small tumor. Just got the area around it as it was rather deeper than they thought. But the tissue DID show some abnormal cells giving reason to keep testing more tissue.
I think the MRI will give a better reading - I also had those.

I went home with a small bandaid covering the area of the core biopsy. Had a small bruise for about a week.

I had a core biopsy back in Feb. 2002 in conjunction with other tests to determine if my lump was indeed cancer. I do not remember any pain but I did have considerable bleeding but I am a bleeder. Do not worry about the biopsy itself. Take it one step at a time.