Lung Biopsy: Frequently Asked Questions

This procedure consists of removing a tiny piece of the lung tissue in order to examine it under the microscope. This is the single most important test in correctly diagnosing your lung disease.

The possible complications after a needle biopsy of lung include: Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) pneumothorax (collapsed lung) bleeding in chest cavity pain require admission for shortness of breath In the majority of individuals, the procedure is done without any complications. In all cases, a chest x ray is done after the procedure and the patient is observed for a few hours. If there is no complication, the individual is discharged home.

It is a procedure to obtain a lung biopsy specimen without opening up the chest wall The biopsy is obtained through three tiny holes in the chest. It is less invasive than an open lung biopsy. Miscellaneous

It is a procedure to obtain a lung biopsy specimen without opening up the chest wall The biopsy is obtained through three tiny holes in the chest. It is less invasive than an open lung biopsy. Up Miscellaneous

There are many individuals who are found to have a mass on a chest x ray or on a CT scan. Some lung nodules are benign but some may be malignant. The identity of the mass can only be determined after a biopsy. In the old days, the only way to biopsy a mass in the lung was surgery- which is a major undertaking. Today, the Ct scan can identity the location of the mass and a biopsy can easily be performed with a needle. ...

Yes, you may be able to participate in our clinical trial for stage IB, II, IIIA, IIIB, or IV NSCLC if you have had a biopsy, but have not yet received chemotherapy . In the case of early stage lung cancer you would need to enroll in a trial before having surgery to remove the tumor. Click here for information about our current and upcoming clinical trials or call 919-668-6498 to speak to a

Advantages CT guided biopsy is less invasive then surgery It can help prevent unnecessary surgery There is only need for local anesthesia Is a useful tool in sick patients who may not be candidates for surgery Can access sites which may be difficult with surgery Is usually an out patient procedure Is much cheaper than surgery Disadvantages With any technique where needles are inserted in the body, risks can be expected and these include: Bleeding Pain Hemoptysis Infection

Individuals with the following conditions are best candidates for a Ct guided lung biopsy: those with a mass discovered on a chest x ray or Ct scan those who have an unknown lung mass and are too sick to undergo surgery those who are heavy smokers and have a lung mass those who work in the mining industry and have a lung mass those who have been working with asbestosis those individuals who have had previous lung surgery and now have a new mass on chest x ray/ct scan those individuals with a cancer elsewhere the body an... ...

A second opinion is often valuable. Even if your diagnosis does not change with a second opinion, a second opinion on treatment is useful to help you determine the best way to treat your specific cancer.

Maybe. If the CT guided biopsy of the lung is done in the morning and the chest x ray done after the procedure is fine, you will be observed for 2-4 hours. If all is fine, you will be allowed to go home. If the CT guided lung biopsy is done in the afternoon, it is safe to be admitted overnight and be discharged in the morning the following day.

In some cases where the lesion is very small, the needle may not be able to obtain a decent sample size. In such cases, either a second attempt may be done or surgery. Needle biopsy is not cost effective when the lesions are less than 1-2 mm. For those individual who have blood disorders, CT guided biopsy may be very risky. For those individuals with congestive heart failure, emphysema, COPD, CT needle biopsy is not recommended. ...