Can a needle biopsy cause seeding of malignant cells if malignance is found?

[PrincessDaughterOfTheKing]

I am meeting with a surgeon tomorrow about having a biopsy of a cluster of microcalcifications recently found on my mammogram. I was told it would most likely be a needle biopsy and they would remove the calcifications. I have read some things on the internet that say that seeding of malignant cells can occur if indeed a malignancy is present. What do you know about this? Is there a better option?

[japdip]

I suppose anything is possible but the possibility of seeding would be very remote indeed. This may be a needle biopsy but there are more than one type of needle biopsy. I would think it might be a Core Biopsy if they intend to remove the calcifications and these are done under some type of imagery to guide the placement of the needle. This is the best type for microcalcifications and many biopsies done for this reason come back with a negative result.   Regards ....

[PrincessDaughterOfTheKing]

Thanks for answering my earlier question. It did relieve some of my anxiety. I had the core or stereotactic biopsy yesterday. When the doctor was finished, he explained to me he was not confident that he got the appropriate tissue. He explained that my calcifications were very small and the area he needed to access was very difficult to get to and he needed to use a very small bore needle. I was repositioned several times and several mammogram pictures were done until they got me the best way they could. He has asked me to call his office this afternoon as he should have the results by then. He explained he may very likely have to redo the biopsy using a different method. This requiring an incision and placement of a wire with a hook on it. I know the chance for infection is increased using this method, but what about my previous question? Is there increased chance of spreading malignancy if malignancy is present? And now that I've been through the first procedure, I have fear of this next procedure being more painful. Is it or do they give you a seditive. They didn't give me anything yesterday except injections of Lidocain which where somewhat painful in themselves. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing. It is possible he got what he needed yesterday.
I can't tell you all how much I appreciate this site and the ability to be able to ask my questions to others who have knowledge and have been through this. Thank you all so much!

[iam1butterfly]

It's an interesting question that you pose because I had a similar concern 2 years ago.
In 2005, I had microcalcifications which were biopsied via surgical incision with the utilization of the localized wire to guide the procedure. Thankfully, that pathology returned with benign findings. Then, 2 years after that, in 2007, more calcifications formed in almost the exact same location were the first calcifications had formed. This time, I had the stereotactic biopsy. Again, the pathology results were determined to be benign.
I asked my surgeon if there was a correlation between the 2 separate occurrences of calcifications. And, he speculated that it was, indeed, possible that the act of cutting during the 1st biopsy may have stimulated or triggered the newly formed growths in the 2nd occurrence. So, if something like that can happen with benign growths, I suppose it's possible that the same could happen with malignant growths.
It doesn't mean that it will happen; but, like japdip said, anything is possible.
As for the surgical biopsy, you will be fully sedated. It's a more invasive process. I was left with a fine line 1 and a half inch scar as opposed to the barely noticeable dimple-like, puncture scar from the sterotactic biopsy. Healing also takes longer. In both approaches, infection is always a possibility. I got an infection from the surgical procedure... but, that was my fault for getting into a hot tub before my cut was fully healed. As for pain, mine was minimal in both cases. Both times, I was given Vicodin; but, I only needed extra-strength Tylenol to knock out the pain.
I wish you all the best with your procedure... let us know how about your outcome. And, please feel free to ask more questions.