Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is a breast biopsy? —
This is procedure to check an abnormal area of the breast for cancer or other problems. A biopsy can involve the breast tissue, a lymph node, or the skin.
There are different ways to do a breast biopsy. You might have had a:
●Fine-needle biopsy – The doctor uses a very small needle to remove a small sample of tissue or fluid from the abnormal area.
●Core needle biopsy – The doctor uses a larger needle with a special tip. They also often use special imaging equipment to find the abnormal area to take the sample.
●Surgical biopsy – The doctor makes a small cut ("incision") in the breast to take a tissue sample.
How long it will take for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on which type of biopsy you had.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take care of your biopsy site – You might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape where the biopsy was done. If you had minimally invasive surgery, you might have more than 1 incision.
•Keep the area dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep it dry.
•Once you no longer need to keep the area dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put it underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
•After you wash the area, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on it. They will also tell you if you need to cover it with a bandage or gauze.
•If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your biopsy site or bandage.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the skin. Ice for at least 6 hours after the biopsy. It might help to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
●Wear a bra that gives you good support.
●Increase your activity slowly. The doctor might want you to mostly rest for the next several days. This includes limiting lifting, sports, and activities that could cause injury.
●Call your doctor or make an appointment to talk about your biopsy results. The results are usually available within a few days to a week after a biopsy.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Redness or swelling around the biopsy site
●A lot of bleeding at the biopsy site
Patient education: Breast biopsy (The Basics)
Patient education: Breast cancer screening (The Basics)
Patient education: Breast cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Common breast problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Breast ultrasound (The Basics)
Patient education: Mammogram (The Basics)
Patient education: Breast cancer screening (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Breast cancer guide to diagnosis and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
