Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a needle is inserted through the skin to take a sample of cells from a suspicious lesion.

The procedure makes it possible to evaluate the collected cells under a microscope (such cells may be collected from nodules, cysts or enlarged lymph nodes located under the skin among other tissues). Such a lesion is palpable through the skin.

Preparation for the examination

  • One week before the planned date of the examination, do not take any medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin, Polopiryna), ibuprofen, naproxen and other pain relieving substances – unless your physician instructs otherwise.
  • If you are on anticoagulants (e.g. Acenokumarol, Sintrom, Warfin and others), you must inform the referring physician about this fact. The physician will then instruct you when to discontinue the medication in due time before the biopsy.
  • If you are unsure whether the drugs you take may affect the safety of the procedure, report your doubts to the referring physician.
  • Refrain from eating and drinking a few hours before the biopsy.
  • If you have a paper referral and imaging documentation from an ultrasound examination, please bring them along with you.

After the examination

  • Resume your normal diet.
  • Refrain from excessive physical activities for 24 hours after the procedure.
  • For 48 hours after the biopsy, do not take any medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin, Polopiryna), ibuprofen, naproxen and other other pain relieving substances – unless your physician instructs otherwise. You can take paracetamol.

After the examination, you can experience discomfort, bruising or slight bleeding from the biopsy site.

Usually biopsy-related pain is negligible and most patients require no pain relievers (analgesics) after their examination.

More serious, though very infrequent, adverse reactions include infections and tissue emphysema

Contact your physician if you notice:

  • profuse bleeding from the biopsy site
  • increasing swelling in the biopsy site
  • growing pain despite using a pain reliever
  • chest or heart pain, palpitation
  • dizziness or fainting
  • breathing difficulties