We have developed a 2.3-mm-diameter fiber-optic probe for near-infrared photon migration spectroscopy that can be inserted into the body through an endoscope or biopsy needle. This probe is specifically designed to be inserted into a core biopsy needle to facilitate optical sampling of lesions during breast needle biopsy. This probe was tested on tissue phantoms containing heterogeneities (to stimulate breast lesions) of various sizes and optical properties. Under the conditions tested, the probe can measure the absorption coefficient to within 30% for heterogeneities with radii as small as 10 mm.