Hi.
There are certain situations where needle biopsy is contraindicated. In some head and neck cancers, needle biopsy is avoided if the clinical and radiographic evaluation is highly suggestive of malignancy. Obtaining tissue in this site is risky and avoided. Another example would be in cases of pancreatic cancer where the patient has a good risk and is a surgical candidate.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards
Thank you, Dr. Dennis for this information. i would also be really interested in knowing about those cancers where a needle biopsy is contraindicated, but only if it'sd not too much work. Kat. PS: it's really nice of you to give a clear, honest answer.
This is great information. For the needle biopsy, which types of cancer would contratindicate this type of biopsy?
Hi.
In general, there is a risk of local spread of cancer after a biopsy. However, the risk is small compared to the benefit of having a good histologic diagnosis. After a diagnosis of cancer, further treatments are given in the form of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. This will further minimize the risk of local spread, as well as local and distant recurrence.
There are also certain cancers where biopsy, especially needle biopsy, should not be done and is contraindicated because of the risk of spreading cancer.
Hope this helps.
I think in the past the answer was always "no" but now they are thinking that it might happen in some cases, and that cancer cells can be spread to the lymph nodes. I don't have the impression that this always happens, just under some circumstances. You can google the topic.
Yes, I am sure that this is so, but you don't really answer Laura's question. Even if a biopsy is necessary to diagnose cancer, I think she has a good point. i asked my surgeon the same thing, and he said 'no', but how can one be so sure about that?
Absolutely NOT. A biopsy is the only true way to make a diagnosis. There are several different types; some where tissue is removed by needle and then an exisional biopsy where a small incision is made and a sample of the tissue is removed. Some type of biopsy is necessary for a correct diagnosis.