What method uses a small cutting needle to remove a core of tissue for microscopic examination?

The method that uses a small cutting needle to remove a core of tissue for microscopic examination is indeed the core needle biopsy. This procedure is particularly useful in oncology for obtaining samples from suspicious masses, as it allows for the extraction of a larger and more intact specimen compared to fine needle aspiration.

During a core needle biopsy, a hollow needle is advanced into the tissue, and when withdrawn, it brings with it a cylindrical sample of the tissue. This is advantageous because the gathered core of tissue contains more architectural information than the small cell samples retrieved by fine needle aspiration, which can be essential for diagnosis and determining treatment options.

Fine needle aspiration primarily uses a thinner needle and focuses on obtaining cells, which can lead to a less detailed view of the tissue structure. Open biopsy involves a surgical procedure to access the tissue, which is more invasive and has different applications. Closed biopsy can refer to various procedures not specifically targeting tissue cores. Thus, core needle biopsy is the most precise technique specified by the question for detailed microscopic examination.