Needle biopsy
Needle biopsyArticle SectionsDefinitionA needle biopsy is a procedure to obtain a sample of cells from your body for laboratory testing. Common needle biopsy procedures include fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy. Needle biopsy may be used to take tissue or fluid samples from muscles, bones and organs, such as the liver or lungs. Needle biopsyDuring needle biopsy, a long thin needle is inserted through the skin on your neck and into the suspicious thyroid nodule. Cells are removed and analyzed to see if they are cancerous. ...  Core needle biopsyA core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow tube to extract a core of tissue. Here, a biopsy of a suspicious breast lump is being done. The core is sent to a laboratory for testing. ...  Why it's doneYour doctor may suggest a needle biopsy to help diagnose a medical condition or to rule out a disease or condition. A needle biopsy may also be used to assess the progress of a treatment. The sample from your needle biopsy may help your doctor determine what's causing:
You may also undergo imaging tests, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or an ultrasound, before your needle biopsy. Sometimes these tests are also used during the needle biopsy procedure to more accurately locate the area to be biopsied. RisksNeedle biopsy carries a small risk of bleeding and infection at the site where the needle was inserted. Some mild pain can be expected after needle biopsy, though it may be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications. Call your doctor if you experience:
Seek medical help right away if you experience:
How you prepareMost needle biopsy procedures don't require any preparation on your part. However, you may be asked to stop taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, in the days before your biopsy. Depending on what part of your body will be biopsied, your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink before the procedure. Ask your doctor whether either applies to you.
Preparing for sedation or general anesthesia You won't be able to return to work immediately if your needle biopsy is done under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Depending on your duties, you may be able to return to work in 24 hours. Talk to your doctor about when it's safe to return to work. Make arrangements or ask friends or family to:
What you can expect
During the needle biopsy In certain cases, you may undergo imaging procedures, such as a CT scan or ultrasound. These allow your doctor to see the target area and plan the best way to proceed. Imaging procedures are sometimes done before your needle biopsy and sometimes performed during the biopsy. What type of imaging you'll undergo, if any, will depend on what part of your body is being biopsied. Your health care team will clean the area of your body where the needle will be inserted. An anesthetic may be injected into the skin around the area to numb it. In some cases, you'll receive an intravenous (IV) sedative or other medication to relax you during the procedure. Sometimes general anesthesia is used during a needle biopsy. If this is the case, you'll receive medications through a vein in your arm that will relax you and put you in a sleep-like state. During the needle biopsy, the doctor guides a needle through your skin and into the area of interest. A sample of cells is collected and the needle is withdrawn. This process may be repeated several times until enough cells are collected. Common types of needle biopsy techniques include:
You may experience mild discomfort during your needle biopsy, such as a sensation of pressure in the area. Tell your health care team if you're feeling uncomfortable.
After the needle biopsy Your health care team may apply a bandage over the area where the needle was inserted. You may be asked to apply pressure to the bandage for several minutes to ensure there is minimal bleeding. In most cases, you can leave when your needle biopsy procedure is completed. Whether you can leave right away or whether you'll need to stay for observation depends on what part of your body was biopsied. In some cases, your health care team may want to observe you for a few hours to ensure you don't have complications from your biopsy. If you received an IV sedative or general anesthetic, you'll be taken to a comfortable place to relax while the medication wears off. Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. Protect the area where you received the needle biopsy by keeping the bandage in place for as long as instructed. You may feel some mild pain or discomfort in the area, but this should resolve in a day or two. A nonaspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), may help relieve the pain. Avoid aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), as these may increase the risk of bleeding. Needle biopsyDuring needle biopsy, a long thin needle is inserted through the skin on your neck and into the suspicious thyroid nodule. Cells are removed and analyzed to see if they are cancerous. ... Core needle biopsyA core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow tube to extract a core of tissue. Here, a biopsy of a suspicious breast lump is being done. The core is sent to a laboratory for testing. ... Image-guided needle biopsyAn image-guided needle biopsy may help your doctor guide the biopsy needle to a precise point in your body. Ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) images may be taken before or during a needle ...  Liver biopsyA liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. Liver biopsy is commonly performed by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver. ...  ResultsPathologists — doctors who specialize in studying cells and tissue samples for signs of disease — will study the biopsy sample in the laboratory and make a diagnosis. Pathologists create a pathology report for your doctor. Once your doctor receives the report, you will be contacted with the results. You can request a copy of your pathology report from your doctor. Pathology reports are usually filled with technical terms, so you may find it helpful to have your doctor review the report with you. Your pathology report may include:
The results of your needle biopsy will determine the next steps in your medical care. Talk with your doctor about what your results mean for you. RelatedLast Updated: 2010-07-03 © 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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