What advantage does the core biopsy technique provide over fine-needle biopsy?

The advantage of core biopsy over fine-needle biopsy lies primarily in the ability to obtain a larger sample of tissue from the area of suspicion. Fine-needle biopsy typically retrieves only a small amount of cells, which may not be sufficient for a comprehensive analysis or for definitive diagnosis. In contrast, core biopsy utilizes a larger gauge needle to capture a cylinder or core of tissue, which includes more cellular architecture and surrounding stroma. This larger sample size enhances diagnostic accuracy by providing more information about the nature of the lesion, allowing pathologists to better assess characteristics such as cellularity, architectural patterns, and the presence of any malignancies. Thus, this capability significantly improves the diagnostic yield and may influence treatment decisions.