What are the different types of biopsy?
The two main types we perform are a fine needle aspiration (FNA) and a core biopsy.
How is the procedure performed?
At Clearview we use ultrasound guidance for all biopsies, so we can see exactly where the needle is at all times,
and make sure we are sampling the correct area. We will first put in some local anaesthetic with a very thin
needle to make the area numb. This can sting slightly for about 10 seconds. We then take our samples through
the numb patch. This is not normally painful, however if it is we can put in more anaesthetic. Afterwards we will
apply some pressure to the area. The samples will be sent to pathology for analysis.
What is the difference between an FNA and a core biopsy?
Both are very similar. The FNA uses a very small needle (smaller than a blood test needle) to get a small
number of cells at a time. The core biopsy takes a larger sample. With the FNA there is a small chance that we
will not get an answer, while with the core biopsy we almost always get an answer. The core biopsy takes
slightly longer than an FNA, and is slightly more painful. There is a much higher chance of getting a bruise and
being sore for a few days with the core biopsy vs an FNA.
How do you decide betweeen an FNA and a core biopsy?
There are multiple factors that are taken into consideration, and the biopsy performed is tailored to your
situation. Your doctor may have requested a specific type of biopsy. Sometimes the location of the lesion means
that only one type of biopsy can be performed. If you are especially afraid of needles then we will sometimes do
an FNA first and do the core biopsy later if required. Smaller lesions can be hard to target for a core biopsy and
an FNA may be prefered.
How long does a biopsy take?
The actual procedure itself is fast and will be done in 5-10 minutes. You will be in the room for about 20 minutes
as we go through everything before and after the procedure.
Who performs the biopsy?
The biopsy is performed by a Radiologist - a medical doctor who has specialised in imaging. There will also be
a sonographer in the room to help with the procedure.
Does it hurt?
The local anaesthetic will sting for about 10 seconds as it goes in. After that you might feel some pressure but
it's not normally painful. If it is, we will put in more anaesthetic. For most patients it's not much worse than a
blood test.
How do I get the result?
The pathology result goes directly from the pathology provider to your doctor, so you need to go back and see
them to get the result.
If I don't hear anything can I assume everything is ok?
You definitely need to see your doctor to get the result. If you haven't heard anything it may because your
doctor hasn't received the result for some reason, and they don't know that you've had the biopsy.
What does it mean if the result is inconclusive?
This can happen for multiple reasons. It may be that the lesion being sampled does not provide enough
material for a diagnosis (more common with an FNA). Sometimes the material we obtain does not have the
specific cells the pathologist requires for a definite diagnosis. Your doctor may simply follow the lesion up with
more imaging, or may order a repeat biopsy or another type of biopsy.
If the result is inconclusive, does that mean something was wrong with the biopsy?
No. Unfortunately this can occur no matter where the biopsy is done or however many samples we take. If we
feel that we don't have enough material after 3 samples, we will sometimes take more.
Can you take more samples to avoid an inconclusive result?
We routinely take 3 samples during a biopsy to avoid this, however for some lesions even if we took 100
samples we may never get an answer. The more samples we take, the higher the risk of a complication so 3
samples is widely regarded as the optimum.
What can I expect after an FNA?
You might get a small bruise in the area, which is not uncommon. After the anaesthetic wears off in 2-3 hours
you may get a small ache like a blood test. You can take your normal pain medication (ie, panadol) if
required.
What can I expect after a core biopsy?
You will almost certainly get a (usually small) bruise in the area. You may also get discomfort in the area for
the next few days. You should avoid doing any strenous exercise until this has settled down.
What are the general risks of a biopsy?
There is a small risk of bleeding and infection anytime a needle is placed through the skin. There is also a
chance that the biopsy will not give a diagnosis. Depending on the area biopsied, there is also a small risk of
damage to adjacent structures, however this is minimised by the use of ultrasound.
Do I need to book?
Yes, all biopsies require a booking.
I'm on blood thinners - does that matter?
No. It will increase your risk of bruising, however for most patients the risk of having a complication if you stop
your medication is much higher and more severe than the risk of bruising with a biopsy.
What do I need to bring?
You need to bring your referral and Medicare card. If the recent imaging has been done at Clearview we will
have a copy of the images and you don't need to bring anything else. If the recent imaging has been done
elsewhere, you need to bring the pictures (the report is not enough) - so we can confirm exactly which area
needs to be biopsied.
Is there any preparation?
No. You should take all of your normal medications. You do not need to fast.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on breast core biopsies : https://www.insideradiology.com.au/breast-core-biopsy/
For more information on a breast FNA: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/breast-fna/
For more information on thyroid FNA: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/thyroid-fna/
Copyright 2021 Clearview Medical Imaging
BIOPSIES
AT CLEARVIEW WE AIM TO MAKE
BIOPSIES AS EASY AND PAINLESS
AS POSSIBLE.
A biopsy takes a small sample of tissue to achieve a
diagnosis. We perform a range of biopsies including thyroid,
breast and neck. All biopsies are done using imaging
guidance and local anaesthetic by an experienced Radiologist
(a medical doctor specialising in imaging).
A Carlisle Health Clinic
What are the different types of biopsy?
The two main types we perform are a fine needle
aspiration (FNA) and a core biopsy.
How is the procedure performed?
At Clearview we use ultrasound guidance for all
biopsies, so we can see exactly where the
needle is at all times, and make sure we are
sampling the correct area. We will first put in
some local anaesthetic with a very thin needle
to make the area numb. This can sting slightly
for about 10 seconds. We then take our samples
through the numb patch. This is not normally
painful, however if it is we can put in more
anaesthetic. Afterwards we will apply some
pressure to the area. The samples will be sent
to pathology for analysis.
What is the difference between an FNA and
a core biopsy?
Both are very similar. The FNA uses a very small
needle (smaller than a blood test needle) to get
a small number of cells at a time. The core
biopsy takes a larger sample. With the FNA
there is a small chance that we will not get an
answer, while with the core biopsy we almost
always get an answer. The core biopsy takes
slightly longer than an FNA, and is slightly more
painful. There is a much higher chance of
getting a bruise and being sore for a few days
with the core biopsy vs an FNA.
How do you decide betweeen an FNA and a
core biopsy?
There are multiple factors that are taken into
consideration, and the biopsy performed is
tailored to your situation. Your doctor may have
requested a specific type of biopsy. Sometimes
the location of the lesion means that only one
type of biopsy can be performed. If you are
especially afraid of needles then we will
sometimes do an FNA first and do the core
biopsy later if required. Smaller lesions can be
hard to target for a core biopsy and an FNA may
be prefered.
How long does a biopsy take?
The actual procedure itself is fast and will be
done in 5-10 minutes. You will be in the room for
about 20 minutes as we go through everything
before and after the procedure.
Who performs the biopsy?
The biopsy is performed by a Radiologist - a
medical doctor who has specialised in imaging.
There will also be a sonographer in the room to
help with the procedure.
Does it hurt?
The local anaesthetic will sting for about 10
seconds as it goes in. After that you might feel
some pressure but it's not normally painful. If it
is, we will put in more anaesthetic. For most
patients it's not much worse than a blood test.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on breast core biopsies :
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/breast-
core-biopsy/
For more information on a breast FNA:
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/breast-
fna/
For more information on thyroid FNA:
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/thyroid-
fna/
Is there any preparation?
No. You should take all of your normal
medications. You do not need to fast.
What do I need to bring?
You need to bring your referral and Medicare
card. If the recent imaging has been done at
Clearview we will have a copy of the images
and you don't need to bring anything else. If the
recent imaging has been done elsewhere, you
need to bring the pictures (the report is not
enough) - so we can confirm exactly which
area needs to be biopsied.
Do I need to book?
Yes, all biopsies require a booking.
I'm on blood thinners - does that matter?
No. It will increase your risk of bruising, however
for most patients the risk of having a
complication if you stop your medication is
much higher and more severe than the risk of
bruising with a biopsy.
What are the general risks of a biopsy?
There is a small risk of bleeding and infection
anytime a needle is placed through the skin.
There is also a chance that the biopsy will not
give a diagnosis. Depending on the area
biopsied, there is also a small risk of damage to
adjacent structures, however this is minimised
by the use of ultrasound.
What can I expect after a core biopsy?
You will almost certainly get a (usually small)
bruise in the area. You may also get discomfort
in the area for the next few days. You should
avoid doing any strenous exercise until this has
settled down.
What can I expect after an FNA?
You might get a small bruise in the area, which
is not uncommon. After the anaesthetic wears
off in 2-3 hours you may get a small ache like a
blood test. You can take your normal pain
medication (ie, panadol) if required.
Can you take more samples to avoid an
inconclusive result?
We routinely take 3 samples during a biopsy to
avoid this, however for some lesions even if we
took 100 samples we may never get an answer.
The more samples we take, the higher the risk of
a complication so 3 samples is widely regarded
as the optimum.
If the result is inconclusive, does that mean
something was wrong with the biopsy?
No. Unfortunately this can occur no matter
where the biopsy is done or however many
samples we take. If we feel that we don't have
enough material after 3 samples, we will
sometimes take more.
What does it mean if the result is
inconclusive?
This can happen for multiple reasons. It may be
that the lesion being sampled does not provide
enough material for a diagnosis (more common
with an FNA). Sometimes the material we obtain
does not have the specific cells the pathologist
requires for a definite diagnosis. Your doctor
may simply follow the lesion up with more
imaging, or may order a repeat biopsy or
another type of biopsy.
If I don't hear anything can I assume
everything is ok?
You definitely need to see your doctor to get the
result. If you haven't heard anything it may
because your doctor hasn't received the result
for some reason, and they don't know that
you've had the biopsy.
How do I get the result?
The pathology result goes directly from the
pathology provider to your doctor, so you need
to go back and see them to get the result.
Copyright 2021 Clearview Medical Imaging
BIOPSIES
AT CLEARVIEW WE
AIM TO MAKE
BIOPSIES AS EASY
AND PAINLESS AS
POSSIBLE.
A biopsy takes a small sample of tissue to
achieve a diagnosis. We perform a range of
biopsies including thyroid, breast and neck. All
biopsies are done using imaging guidance and
local anaesthetic by an experienced Radiologist
(a medical doctor specialising in imaging).
A Carlisle Health Clinic
