What Can You Tell Me About Biopsies?

Your doctor told you that you need to have a biopsy done. You’ve heard of people getting a biopsy, but you never thought you would need one. And now that you do need a biopsy, you have a lot of questions. 
Continue reading and I will try to answer some questions for you.
Please note that:
•	I am not an expert on biopsies
•	This is not a complete list of biopsies
•	Biopsies can be done for many reasons other than a cancer diagnosis
•	No matter what you read on the internet, including this article, always follow your provider’s instructions regarding preparation for your biopsy and aftercare

What is a biopsy?

A biopsy is a sample of tissue or fluid that is sent to the pathologist to examine. The tissue sample can be taken from any part of the body. Depending on what part of the body the biopsy is taken from, the sample may be fluid, like from the lungs, or solid matter like a breast lump.

Why do I need a biopsy?

Biopsies are done for many reasons. Your ailment may be a rash, a lesion, or even a suspicious lump or mass. Your healthcare provider will do a biopsy to help diagnose what kind of ailment you have.

Maybe you have a bump on your skin that won’t go away. A biopsy will identify what kind of bump it is; perhaps it is an infection, or maybe it’s skin cancer.

That lump in your breast, is it a cyst that needs to be drained or cancer that needs to be removed?

A biopsy can determine what the cause of the abnormality is so your healthcare provider and you can decide how to treat the area of concern.

How is a biopsy done?

The way a biopsy is done is determined by several factors including where the lesion is in or on your body, what kind of tissue makes up the lesion, and more criteria.

For example, if you have excess fluid around your lungs your care provider will insert a needle or tube into your chest to remove the liquid.

On the other hand, if you have a solid mass in your abdomen, your doctor will make an incision to remove the sample because it can’t be sucked out in a tube the way liquid can.

Continue reading to find out various ways biopsies can be obtained.

Shave biopsy:

This type of biopsy is performed on the skin using a sharp instrument that resembles a razor. Your provider will shave a thin layer of skin tissue with the sampling tool, then send the sample to the lab for analysis. You shouldn’t need stitches afterward, but you will have a bandage over the area.

Punch biopsy:

For a punch biopsy, a special tool is used to remove skin tissue deeper than a scrape biopsy. Instead of a flat blade like a scalpel, the punch biopsy blade is round and removes a core of tissue that resembles an apple core, only much smaller. Because this biopsy goes through all the layers of skin (you have three different layers of skin), you may need a stitch to close the skin back up.

Aspiration biopsy:

In an aspiration biopsy, a needle attached to a syringe is inserted into the area to be biopsied. Once the needle is in the correct position, the plunger of the syringe is pulled back causing fluid and tissue to enter the syringe. You will only need a small bandage to cover the area.

Core needle biopsy:

A core needle biopsy is like a punch biopsy in that a core of tissue is removed for examination. The difference is that the core needle goes deep into tissue such as the breast, not just the skin layers like a punch biopsy. When the procedure is completed, your care provider will apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding in the deep tissue, then apply a small bandage. (Read: The Day I Met Cancer in the Mirror)

Incisional biopsy:

To perform an incisional biopsy, your provider will make an incision and removed a piece of the tumor that is then sent for biopsy. Afterward, your provider will suture (stitch) the incision and apply a bandage over the area. In an incisional biopsy, only a portion of the tumor is removed.

Excisional biopsy:

For an excisional biopsy, instead of removing a portion of the tumor as in an incisional biopsy, the entire tumor is removed instead. After the procedure, you will have a few to several stitches, depending on how long the incision is, as well as a bandage.

Brush biopsy:

A brush biopsy is obtained when your practitioner rubs the stiff bristles of a round brush over soft tissue like the inside of your cheek or in your airways. You will not need a bandage of any sort after this procedure.

Cone biopsy:

A cone biopsy is done using a special instrument that removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix (the opening into the womb/uterus).

Endoscopic biopsy:

An endoscopic biopsy is obtained with an instrument that goes through an endoscope into an organ like the lungs or colon. The instrument snatches a piece of tissue that is sent to the lab for biopsy. (Read: Cancer Imaging Tests)

How will I know the result of my biopsy?

After your doctor performs the biopsy, they will send the tissue to the lab to be examined.

Once the pathologist examines the biopsy material, they will send a report to your doctor explaining what kind of substance was found in the biopsy.

When your doctor receives this report, their office will contact you to make an appointment to review the results of the biopsy and to make plans needed for any further treatment you may need depending on the lab results.

What else do I need to do to prepare for having a biopsy?

Whether your provider hands you a set of written instructions or sends them to you in an email, closely follow your provider’s instructions for what to do in preparation for your biopsy and afterward.

Here are some general instructions to keep in mind:

1.        Shower before going to your biopsy appointment and wear clean clothes.

For a simple biopsy, like a shave biopsy that may be done in your provider’s office, a shower with antibacterial soap may suffice. But, if you are going to a surgical center or hospital, your provider may ask you to use a special antimicrobial solution to shower with.

2.      Arrive for your procedure at the scheduled time.

Usually, you will be asked to arrive before the planned biopsy surgery time to fill out paperwork, like consent forms, and to be prepped for the procedure.

3.     Bring a driver with you.

If you will be under sedation or anesthesia for your biopsy, you will need to have an adult driver drive you home and stay with you for a specified period as discussed in your instructions from your provider. If will be using public transportation or an arranged ride, you may still need to have an adult accompany you. Check with your provider to be sure. If you are supposed to have an adult with you but don’t, your procedure may be canceled for your safety and per your provider’s malpractice insurance policy.

4.     Ask your provider if you need to take, or avoid any medication, herbal preparations, or over-the-counter supplements before, or after your procedure. 

For instance, you may be asked to stop blood thinners like ibuprofen or vitamin E several days before your biopsy to prevent excess bleeding during your procedure.

5.      Follow all instructions you are given regarding how to care for any bandages you may have after your procedure.

These instructions should also tell you how long to leave the bandage on and when you can get the area wet/shower.

6.      If your biopsy involves an endoscopic procedure, like a colonoscopy, you will have further preparation for your procedure such as a bowel cleanse.

And finally, remember that unless your provider tells you specifically that the biopsy is being done to diagnose cancer, don’t assume that you do have cancer. Biopsies are done for many reasons including cancer diagnosis, but not only for cancer diagnosis.

Comment below how this article has helped you better understand what biopsies are and how they are done.

For additional reading about biopsies, check out these sites:

https://www.webmd.com/cancer/what-is-a-biopsy

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/biopsy/art-20043922#:~:text=A%20biopsy%20is%20a%20procedure,identified%20an%20area%20of%20concern

Wishing you all the best,

Kelly

 Are your cancer screenings up to date?

Yes, I am a nurse. No, I am not your nurse. The medical topics discussed in this, or any article on this site, are intended to be issues for you to discuss with your medical team if you feel they apply to you. None of the information you are about to read in this article is treatment advice for you from me. I do not have that authority.