Biopsy is a technique of taking thyroid cell samples with a needle to do cytological tests to help determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant. From there, the doctor has a suitable treatment plan. Biopsies are divided into two types: fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy (Core biopsy).
With fine needle aspiration cytologythe doctor uses a needle to insert into the tumor or lymph node in the neck, takes a cell sample and sends it to the pathology room. The aspiration process is guided by ultrasound. In cases where fine needle aspiration of cells at the correct location of the lesion does not yield results, the patient is prescribed a core needle biopsy.
With core needle biopsythe doctor uses a larger sized needle to take cell samples. Under the guidance of the ultrasound machine, the doctor uses a needle to insert into the tumor to remove tissue. Core needle biopsy removes more tissue, gives the pathologist more data for testing, and gives more accurate results than fine needle aspiration. The biopsy process does not require anesthesia and takes about 15-20 minutes.
You can rest assured to have a biopsy as prescribed by your doctor. Because a biopsy does not change the nature of a benign breast tumor to a malignant one. In the case of malignant tumors, the process of poking the tumor to take samples does not cause cancer cells to spread. The risk of the tumor spreading, metastasizing to lymph nodes, bones, lungs… is often due to the diagnosis process, incorrect assessment of the nature of the malignant tumor, and the patient not receiving timely treatment.
After the biopsy, the patient may have bruising and swelling but improves after a few days. If infection is not well controlled, bacteria on the skin can follow the biopsy needle into the body, causing infection, although this rarely occurs. Some patients with blood clotting disorders and on anticoagulant treatment need to be consulted carefully before biopsy.