FNAC/Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be analyzed in a laboratory. If you're experiencing certain signs and symptoms or if your doctor has identified an area of concern, you may be asked to undergo a biopsy to determine whether you have cancer or some other condition.
What is Biopsy Procedure?
Procedure in which 2 or 3 small pieces of tissue are taken with help of fine needle or biopsy needle under ultrasound guidance and local anaesthesia.
Indications
To ascertain the cause of illness: infection or cancer and more importantly to plan treatment (most effective antibiotics in case of infection and most effective treatment option in cases of cancer). It is also important in staging and grading of cancer.
Pre-requisites
- Book prior appointment
- Referring Doctor prescription, previous lab results (*PT/INR and CBC), imaging reports (CT/PET CT/MRI/USG).
- If you are on blood thinner like Aspirin, clopidogrel or any oral/injectable anticoagulant like heparin, inform during appointment.
- One accompanying person
- Need to sign a consent form for procedure to ensure that you have understood the potential risks associated with the procedure.
Complications
These are very safe procedures usually done under local anesthesia which ensures none to minimal pain. A few patients may have minor pain after biopsy once local anesthetic effect wears off for which we provide analgesics.
The major concern is bleeding. This is prevented in more than 99% of cases by using ultrasound or CT guidance and technical expertise. Few ancillary measures like post biopsy site compression and appropriate pressure dressing also help. However after all precautions, inadvertent risks does occur in a few patients for which the post procedure monitoring and short hospital stay is recommended.
Results
- FNAC: Next working day if done before 12 pm. Accuracy is about 70-80%
- Biopsy: takes approx. 3-4 working days for reports. Accuracy is > 95%.
