Table of contents:
- What is a biopsy?
- Is it true that a biopsy can make cancer worse?
- What is the biopsy like?
- 1. Bone marrow biopsy
- 2. Endoscopic biopsy
- 3. Needle biopsy
- How long does the biopsy take and the results?
- What is the preparation for a biopsy like?
Cancer is a dangerous disease and it is important to be diagnosed early. This disease can make cells in the body uncontrollable, cells continue to divide and can cause a dense pile of tissue called a tumor. One of the procedures that can diagnose cancer is a biopsy. Actually, what is a biopsy like? Come on, understand more about this medical test in the following review.
What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is a test that is usually performed to detect and confirm a cancer diagnosis. A biopsy is done as a procedure to take tissue or cell samples from your body. Then, the cell sample will be tested in a laboratory and seen its shape under a microscope.
Simply put, by doing this action, your medical team will find out how the condition of the tissue or cells in a part of the body that is suspected of having interference.
Although performed to detect other health problems, a biopsy is a medical procedure that is better known for diagnosing cancer.
A biopsy is used to help differentiate benign from cancerous tumors. In addition, this action is also relied on to determine the stage and type of cancer being experienced.
If the cancer diagnosis has been confirmed and the stage is known, this will make it easier for doctors to choose the right cancer treatment. Treatment includes surgical removal of the cancer, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
Apart from cancer, other health problems that are also recommended to undergo a biopsy are:
- Helping the doctor to determine whether there is injury to the intestine or not.
- Helping doctors make a diagnosis whether there is a liver disorder such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Identify whether there is infection or not and the microorganisms that cause it.
Is it true that a biopsy can make cancer worse?
Many people who experience symptoms of cancer or are at risk of developing cancer do not want to undergo a biopsy for fear of worsening the growth of cancer cells. In fact, this procedure actually makes it easier for the medical team to determine what treatment steps to take next.
In addition, there is no research that states and proves that this medical procedure can worsen the cancer condition experienced by a person.
Research conducted by the Mayo Clinic states that the risk for cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body as a result of a biopsy is very small. These medical procedures must be carried out according to standards and the medical team will take various ways to prevent the spread of cancer cells (metastasis).
An example of prevention, namely the medical team usually uses needles or surgical equipment that is sterile and different for each area of the body, thereby minimizing the possibility of cancer cells "moving" to other parts.
What is the biopsy like?
This medical procedure is usually accompanied by anesthetic, aka anesthesia, so you don't need to be afraid to feel pain. In addition, it is a minor medical procedure that does not require any.
This type of needle biopsy usually requires only local anesthesia. meanwhile, if the procedure requires the medical team to take tissue in the innermost organs of the body, then general / general anesthesia will be used.
The biopsy process that will be undertaken, depends on the type of biopsy selected. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic page, there are several types of biopsy that are performed to diagnose cancer, namely:
1. Bone marrow biopsy
Bone marrow biopsy is the procedure of inserting a needle into the bone marrow and suctioning out fluid or tissue. This type of biopsy is usually performed when the doctor suspects the possibility of blood cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or cancer originating in or leading to the bone marrow.
2. Endoscopic biopsy
In an endoscopic biopsy, the doctor will use a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) equipped with a light and a cutter. This tool is inserted into the body to take a small amount of tissue that is suspected of being cancer for a sample.
Usually, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth, rectum, urinary tract, or a small incision in the skin where the cancer is located. Examples of endoscopic biopsy procedures include cystoscopy to collect tissue from inside your bladder, bronchoscopy to extract tissue from inside the lungs, and colonoscopy to collect tissue from inside your colon.
3. Needle biopsy
A needle biopsy is usually used to detect cancer in a breast lump or swelling in the lymph nodes. The various methods of applying needle biopsy that are usually used are:
- Use a fine, long, and thin needle to remove fluid and cells for analysis.
- Using a core needle that is larger in size with a cutting tip which later functions to pull and cut tissue from a certain area.
- Using a vacuum (suction device) to increase the amount of fluid and cells and separate it with a needle.
- Using imaging tests, such as CT scans, ultrasound, MRI, and needle X-rays.
How long does the biopsy take and the results?
Quoting from UCSF Health, the length of time a biopsy using a fine needle orneedle biopsy is about 10-15 minutes. However, the length of time for biopsy of these tumors can vary and is not always the same from one type to another.
On biopsy or surgery surgical biopsy, usually takes quite a long time thanneedle biopsy. Likewise with other types of biopsy which take different times depending on the level of difficulty.
You can generally get the results of the biopsy within 2-3 days after the procedure. Results that require more complex analysis can take 7 to 10 days.
What is the preparation for a biopsy like?
Before you undergo a tumor biopsy, there are various things that you should pay attention to. This is done to avoid various unwanted side effects. The biopsy preparations you need to follow are:
- Have discussed the history of the disease as well as drugs or supplements that are being taken.
- Do not take medications that can thin your blood, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, at least a week before the procedure.
- You may be asked to fast for 6 to 8 hours before the biopsy is done.
- Wearing baggy clothes and removing jewelry.
After the biopsy, you must rest completely for 2 days and are prohibited from doing strenuous activities. A biopsy is a fairly safe procedure and rarely causes side effects, such as bleeding, infection, tissue damage, or numbness. If you experience these side effects, see a doctor immediately.
