Lung Biopsy for Lung Cancer

Health Line

5 hours ago

Key takeaways
A lung biopsy may be used to diagnose lung cancer. There are many kinds of lung biopsies, but common ones include needle, transbronchial, and open.
In some cases, prior tests like chest X-rays or CT scans indicate lung cancer may be present, and a lung biopsy may confirm a diagnosis.
Scans like a CT scan, MRI scan, or chest X-ray scan may show signs of cancer. If your doctor suspects cancer, a lung biopsy is often used to confirm the diagnosis.
A biopsy is a relatively quick procedure that can cause mild discomfort. There are a few different types, but a needle biopsy is one of the most common.
Read on to learn more about lung biopsies, how long they take, and what happens when the test is over.
How long does a lung cancer biopsy take?
There are different types of lung biopsies, and each may take varying amounts of time.
Needle lung biopsy
A needle biopsy, also called a percutaneous biopsy, means that a doctor will place a needle through the skin and into the lung. Then, they'll draw out a small tissue sample.
This procedure takes place under local anesthesia and uses either an ultrasound or CT scanner as a guide. Cancer Research UK reports that a needle lung biopsy usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Transbronchial biopsy
A transbronchial biopsy uses a flexible tube called a bronchoscope to take a sample of tissue from the lungs. The tube is inserted through the nose or mouth and down into the lungs.
This procedure involves sedation and usually takes about an hour.
Open lung biopsy
An open lung biopsy involves making an incision in the side of the body toward the back of the lung. A sample of tissue from the lungs is taken, and the incision is closed with stitches.
During this procedure, a chest drain is also inserted to help in the expansion of the lungs during the procedure to allow fluid to drain out. You'll be under anesthesia, and you may need to wait a bit before you can go home.
How long does it take to get lung biopsy results?
Once a sample is taken from a lung biopsy, it's sent to a laboratory for testing.
At the laboratory, a doctor called a pathologist will conduct tests on the sample to determine whether cancer cells are present. During this process, the pathologist may also conduct tests to help classify the type of cancer.
Results will then be detailed in a pathology report and sent to your doctor. This report is usually available within a week of the lung biopsy, and your doctor will call you with the results.
What does a lung biopsy show?
A lung biopsy doesn't technically 'show' anything. However, the tissue sample is tested to determine which type of cells are in your lungs.
If cancerous cells are present, the results can confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Is a lung biopsy painful?
Typically, a lung biopsy causes minor discomfort or no discomfort at all.
Sometimes, general anesthetic is used which means you'll be asleep and won't be aware of or feel anything that is happening. If you're not under a general anesthetic, a mild sedative may be administered to help you relax during the procedure.
A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. When this happens, you may feel a slight prick and pressure, but it shouldn't be painful.
Some biopsies, like an open biopsy, may require a few days' stay in the hospital. For other procedures with only a light sedative, you may be able to go home once the sedative wears off.
You might experience some slight pain at the site of the biopsy once local anesthesia begins to wear off. This will decrease with time, and you'll be given pain relief medication if needed.
Sharp pain or pain in the shoulders with breathing can be a sign of a collapsed lung. While uncommon, this can sometimes occur with a needle biopsy. Other symptoms of a collapsed lung may include:
rapid heart rate
shortness of breath
bluish tint to the skin
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Can a lung biopsy cause cancer to spread?
Tumor seeding, also called needle seeding, is when a biopsy needle inserted into the body to sample a tumor dislodges cancer cells and allows them to spread along the track of the needle.
Studies on this have produced mixed results. While some instances of tumor seeding have been reported, including in lung cancer cases, it is very uncommon.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the chance of cancer spreading through a biopsy or surgical procedure is extremely low.
Physicians take steps to prevent the spread of cancer cells during biopsies and when removing tumors. For example, if taking tissue from more than one part of the body, different tools are used for each area.
Will my doctor help me plan my next steps after results?
Once your biopsy results arrive, your doctor will have a discussion with you about the next steps.
If cancer is found, more tests may be needed to determine the stage of cancer. Staging refers to the size of a tumor and the extent to which it has spread. Knowing the staging will help determine what treatment options may be best for you.
Your doctor will discuss the possible treatment options available to you as well as the pros and cons of each. They'll also discuss the goals of treatment. For instance, sometimes curing lung cancer completely isn't always a realistic goal, so treatment may be focused on controlling cancer and reducing symptoms.
It's important to ask questions during this period. It's also a good idea to get a second opinion if you'd like one.