When a biopsy is done by needle, is it possible for the dr. to tell immediately if the cancer is malignant or benign?

Not w/o Pathologist: Regardless of the method of biopsy, the only way to DX cancer is to look under the microscope. There are "frozen sections" that can be performed by pathologists within minutes of a biopsy; however, this is not as accurate as staining the tissue (overnight) and compromises our tissue sample. The waiting is the hardest part, no doubt--most often, we can get the results the next day. Hang in there!

Not usually: Although frozen section is theoretically possible - it is rarely done. Better to have the biopsy done and the tissue processed appropriately overnight. Most path departments can have the answer in 1-3 days. Some newer processing may be done in just a few hours.