What is a biopsy and how does the procedure work?

A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue or cells from a patient's body, which are then tested in a laboratory for the presence of diseases, including cancer, inflammation or other abnormalities.

A biopsy can be performed on different parts of the body and for different diagnostic purposes. Depending on the location and purpose of the examination, there are several types of biopsies.

• Fine needle aspiration (FNA) - most often performed when tumors are suspected in the breast, thyroid, lymph nodes or other organs.
• Core needle biopsy - involves taking a larger sample of tissue with a thicker needle, used to take samples from organs such as the liver, kidneys, prostate.
• Surgical biopsy - in the case of difficult specimens, the procedure is performed surgically, such as when removing a tumor or an altered area of tissue.
• Endoscopic biopsy - performed with an endoscope that allows samples to be taken from hard-to-reach areas, such as the gastrointestinal tract, lungs or bladder.

The biopsy procedure is usually quick and performed under local anesthesia, but general anesthesia will be required for surgical biopsies. The duration of the procedure depends on the type of biopsy, but usually ranges from 20 to 60 minutes.

How to prepare for a biopsy?

Preparation for a biopsy depends on its type and location. Usually the doctor will order the patient to perform certain tests before the procedure.

• Blood tests (blood count, bleeding time, clotting indices).
• Ultrasound or mammography in the case of a breast biopsy.
• Computed tomography for biopsies of internal organs.

On the day of the procedure, the patient should not eat or drink (depending on the doctor's instructions), especially if a surgical biopsy or biopsy under general anesthesia is planned.

Before the procedure, the doctor will discuss in detail what precautions should be taken, such as whether blood clotting-lowering drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen) should be discontinued.

Recovery after biopsy

Recovery after a biopsy depends on the type of procedure. After a fine-needle aspiration, the patient can return to normal activities almost immediately, although there may be pain or swelling at the sampling site for a few hours.

After a thick-needle or surgical biopsy, rest is required for 1-2 days. For surgical biopsies, as well as biopsies under general anesthesia, recovery may take longer, and the patient is advised to make follow-up visits to monitor the healing process.

After the procedure, bruising or swelling may be visible at the site from which the sample was taken, but these symptoms usually resolve within a few days.

What are the contraindications to biopsy?

A biopsy is a relatively safe procedure, but in some cases it is not indicated. Contraindications may include: active infections within the area to be sampled, blood clotting disorders, autoimmune diseases that may impede the healing process, unregulated diabetes.

In such cases, the doctor may recommend delaying the procedure until the patient's condition stabilizes.