A biopsy allows a doctor to further evaluate a suspicious lesion for cancer. During the procedure, the doctor removes cells or a small amount of tissue from the lesion and sends it to a pathologist or cytologist for analysis and diagnosis.
In this post we’ve outlined a series of questions that may help prepare you for a biopsy.
1. What kind of biopsy will I have?
There are many kinds of biopsies specific to different areas of the body. Even for one area of the body, there may be different methods of performing this sort of procedure. For example, the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is the most common type of thyroid biopsy. During this procedure, a small needle is placed into the thyroid gland, and cells are removed through a syringe. Other examples include core needle, excisional, incisional and endoscopic biopsies. Core needle biopsies are similar to FNA biopsies, but use a larger needle in order to remove a larger sample. During an excisional biopsy, your doctor will remove the entire suspicious area. During an incisional biopsy, your doctor will remove only part of the suspicious area. Finally, endoscopic biopsies involve the use of a thin, flexible tube (known as an endoscope) to remove a sample of suspicious tissue.
2. What sort of sample(s) will be removed, and how many?
Some biopsies remove a small sample of cells or tissue with a needle, while others involve surgical removal of a suspicious lesion. In either case, it is important to know what kind of sample(s) the doctor plans on removing. For instance, will it be a sample of cells or a small amount of tissue? You should also ask your doctor how many samples they plan on removing, as well as their location(s).
3. How can I prepare for the procedure?
How you prepare for your procedure will depend on the type of biopsy you will have. For example, most needle biopsies are outpatient procedures that require minimal preparation. On the other hand, excisional biopsies which involve surgery will require more preparation.
You should ask your doctor if there is anything in particular you can do to prepare for your specific procedure. For instance, depending on the kind of biopsy you will have, you may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or aspirin. Your doctor may also instruct you not to eat or drink for eight hours before the procedure.
Top Questions for Your Doctor
Access our list of the most important questions to ask your physician at your next appointment.
4. How will the procedure be performed?
There are several ways a biopsy can be performed. Some involve intravenous (IV) sedation, while others—like breast or thyroid biopsies—may not require sedation. For needle biopsies, local anesthetic is used to numb the area where the doctor inserts the needle. Additionally, a doctor can perform some biopsies while the patient is standing up, while others require the patient to lie down. It is important to ask your doctor how your specific procedure will be performed, so that you know what to expect on the day of your biopsy.
5. What will I feel during and after my procedure?
In general, if you are having a needle biopsy, you will notice a small, sharp pinch where the needle is inserted. If your biopsy requires surgery, your doctor will give you anesthesia. After the procedure, you may experience some soreness at the biopsy site for a few days. Ask your doctor to prescribe pain medication if you are experiencing severe pain after the procedure.
6. Who will interpret the results of my biopsy, and how will I be informed?
The doctor will send your biopsy sample to a lab for analysis, where a pathologist or cytologist will analyze it. They will deliver a full report to your doctor in a matter of days. You should ask your doctor in advance how you will receive the results of your biopsy, so you do not miss any important information.
7. What are the possible biopsy results?
A pathologist or cytologist will determine whether the biopsy sample contains a tumor and what kind of tumor it is. A tumor can be benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not cancerous, whereas a malignant tumor is cancerous and may spread to other parts of the body. Inconclusive biopsy results are also possible. If a biopsy does not produce a definitive result, your doctor may perform another biopsy or try other tests to confirm your diagnosis.
Sources
- Biopsy ‣ THANC Guide
- Definition Cytologist ‣ THANC Guide
- Pathology ‣ THANC Guide
- Thyroid Biopsy ‣ THANC Guide
- 14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before a Biopsy • MedicineNet.com
- Biopsy • RadiologyInfo.org
- Biopsy – Tests & Treatments • NHS
- Biopsy • Cancer.net
- Biopsy: Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose cancer • Mayo Clinic
