Diagnostic Biopsy

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• QWhat is a liver biopsy?

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  A RealAge answered

  A liver biopsy is a medical procedure in which a doctor removes a small piece of the liver for examination under a microscope. A liver biopsy is usually done after tests such as imaging scans and blood tests indicate a problem with the liver. A liver biopsy can diagnose liver diseases and estimate the degree of liver damage as well as help a doctor determine the best treatment for the problem.
  
  A liver biopsy is performed in one of three ways.

  • In a percutaneous liver biopsy, a hollow needle is inserted through the abdomen to the liver to extract a piece of liver tissue. This type of biopsy is usually done using a local anesthetic (although pain medication and sedatives may be offered if needed), and while using an ultrasound scan to help the doctor guide the needle to the targeted spot on the liver.
  • A transvenous liver biopsy (or transjugular venous biopsy) is also done using local anesthesia and pain medication and/or sedatives if needed. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the neck and a sheath is threaded into the jugular vein and into one of the veins of the liver. A dye is put into the sheath and picked up by the vein in the liver so that an x-ray can be taken that will create an image of the veins of the liver. Then a biopsy needle is threaded into the sheath and used to extract one or more tissue samples from the liver. The needle and sheath are then withdrawn and the doctor applies a bandage to the small incision.
  • A laparoscopic liver biopsy is done with the patient under general anesthesia given through a vein in the arm. The doctor inserts a lighted tube called a laparoscope through a small cut in the abdomen until it reaches the liver. The laparoscope sends images of your liver to a computer monitor. The doctor watches the monitor and inserts instruments into the laparoscope to take tiny tissue samples from the liver. Recovery from a liver biopsy usually takes one or two days.
• QWhat are the different kinds of breast biopsies?

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  A Stacy Contreras , Body Imaging, answered on behalf of Good Samaritan Hospital

  

  There are three different types of breast biopsies. In this video, Stacy Contreras, director at Good Samaritan Hospital’s Breast Care Center, explains each procedure and when it is used.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  What Are the Different Kinds of Breast Biopsies?
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• QWhat are the types of breast cancer biopsies?

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  A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

  If there is an area the radiologist is especially concerned about, he or she will order a biopsy to obtain tissue for further evaluation. This tissue is then sent to the lab, where the cells are examined to determine whether or not they are cancerous. Biopsies can be done in several ways and are performed by either a radiologist or a surgeon.
  

  • Fine needle aspirations (FNA) are used to withdraw fluid from the area of concern.  Sometimes ultrasound is used to guide the needle.
  • Stereotactic core biopsy obtains a larger amount of tissue than the FNA. This type of biopsy is done with a local anesthetic to numb the breast.
  • Surgical biopsy is done in an operating room, and obtains larger amounts of tissue. Based on findings, the surgeon may proceed to remove the whole lump and surrounding tissue during this procedure.
• QWhat happens after a breast biopsy?

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  A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

  The tissue obtained through FNA, stereotactic biopsy or surgery is then sent to the pathologist who will examine the tissue in the lab to determine if the cells are cancerous. Additionally, if the tissue is cancerous, the pathologist will determine what type of cancerous cells are present, which is critical in determining the best treatment for the disease.
  
• QWhat happens to a child during a bone marrow biopsy?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  These two tests, bone marrow aspirate and bone marrow biopsy, happen very quickly. After the area is numbed, the doctor places a needle into the bone marrow. The doctor takes aspirate (ASS-per-ate), a small amount of the marrow fluid out. Your child may feel pressure or feel pain very briefly. Then the doctor removes the needle.
  
  Next, the doctor does the biopsy. The doctor puts a new, larger needle into the same place and twists it to get a small piece of bone marrow. Your child may feel pressure from the doctor pushing the needle into the bone. The doctor wiggles the needle to loosen it from the bone. The doctor removes the needle and sends the little piece of bone marrow to the lab for examination.
• QWhat happens to a child after a bone marrow biopsy?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  After the bone marrow aspirate and biopsy your child's skin is washed with antibacterial soap. Pressure is placed on the site for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. A tight-fitting bandage will be put on the area where the test was done. This dressing should stay on for 24 hours to prevent bleeding. After 24 hours, the dressing needs to be removed. It is normal for your child to be sore for a few days.
• QWhat should I avoid doing after a breast biopsy?

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  A Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered

  After having a breast biopsy performed the patient should avoid heavy lifting on the affected side. To prevent bleeding and a hematoma, try to refrain from lifting the arm above the shoulder for 2 weeks. Ice compression is useful to reduce swelling and edema. Also, keep the incision site dry for several days to reduce risks of skin infection. Our patients are taken off Advil, Motrin, and ASA prior to surgery for 72 hours and continued for 1 week after.

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• QHow is an ultrasound-guided biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis performed?

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  A core needle biopsy is a way to take a tissue sample from the breast. The sample is then tested to see if it is cancerous. When a breast lump can be felt and is seen clearly on an ultrasound, an ultrasound-guided needle core biopsy is done. This method uses ultrasound (high frequency sound waves) to guide the doctor to obtain the sample.
  
  The biopsy site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution. The doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. A very small nick is then made in the skin at the site where the biopsy needle is to be inserted. Using ultrasound to guide the needle into the breast lump, the doctor will obtain tissue samples through the needle. The samples will then be sent to a lab. Several samples are usually taken.
  
  A clip is then placed at the location of the lump. The clip will ensure that the site can be found easily for any surgery that may be needed and will prove on further x-ray testing that the lump has already been biopsied.
  
  The biopsy will take about 30 to 45 minutes.
• QWhat are the benefits of a core needle biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis?

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  A core needle biopsy is a way to take a tissue sample from the breast to test and see if it is cancerous. The following are some benefits of a core needle biopsy:
  

  • High accuracy of diagnosis
  • No stitches and no scars
  • Quick and simple
  • Short recovery time
• QHow should I prepare for a core needle biopsy of my breast?

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  A Aurora Health Care answered

  A core needle biopsy is a way to take a tissue sample from the breast to test and see if it is cancerous. Before a core needle biopsy:

  • Do not take any aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen or Aleve for 5 days before the biopsy. If you take a blood thinner (Coumadin, warfarin, or Plavix) you may need to stop it for several days before the biopsy. Talk to your doctor or nurse before stopping any medicine.
  • Do not wear any deodorant, antiperspirant, powder, lotion, body oil, fragrance, or ointment on your breast or underarms.
  • Wear a good supportive bra and a two-piece outfit on the day of the biopsy.
  • Eat a light meal, such as cereal or toast.
  • You may want to have someone to drive you to your procedure and home when you are done.