Dangers of needle biopsy

Normally, when a puncture biopsy is needed, patients often have such concerns. If there are cancer cells in the body, the puncture biopsy may cause the cancer to metastasize and spread. Experts told us that the probability of tumor metastasis caused by puncture biopsy is almost zero. Under normal circumstances, even if the operation is improper, the probability of this happening is very, very low.

Dangers of needle biopsy

The probability of cancer metastasis caused by puncture biopsy is almost zero

As long as the operation is done properly and protective measures are in place, puncture biopsy is unlikely to cause cancer metastasis.

Some people say that it is almost impossible, but isn’t there still a possibility that it will happen? You are right, but the probability of transfer is extremely small, much smaller than the probability of winning the first prize in the lottery. Then why do many people, even some old doctors, believe that biopsy can cause cancer metastasis?

There may be several reasons:

① In the past, cancer screening was not so popular, and the understanding of cancer was not enough. Many cancer patients who were discovered were already in the middle or late stages. At this time, many patients had already metastasized when they underwent puncture biopsy, which led to the misunderstanding that "puncture biopsy will accelerate tumor metastasis."

② Also, previous imaging examinations were not so perfect, and some tumor metastases were not discovered in time. Instead, they were discovered during subsequent treatment, which easily made patients wonder whether "tumor metastasis was caused by puncture biopsy."

What preparations are needed before a biopsy?

Before the puncture biopsy, you first need to communicate with the patient face to face, explain to him in detail what kind of operation puncture biopsy is and what problems he will face, so as to reduce the patient's psychological burden. If the patient still appears to be very anxious or overly worried, we will give him some sedatives and analgesics during the operation, hoping that he will cooperate with our operation as much as possible.

Even if no complications are found through imaging examinations at the time of puncture, the patient should generally be observed for half an hour to an hour after the operation to prevent delayed complications. For patients who develop complications during surgery, we will appropriately extend their observation time based on different symptoms and whether treatment is needed.