Fine needle aspiration (FNA) through the skin, most commonly performed with radiological imaging for guidance, may be useful in retrieving cells for diagnosis from tumour nodules in the lungs. Needle biopsies are particularly useful when the lung tumour is peripherally located in the lung and not accessible to sampling by bronchoscopy.
A small amount of local anesthetic is given prior to insertion of a thin needle through the chest wall into the abnormal area in the lung. Cells are suctioned into the syringe and are examined under the microscope for tumour cells. This procedure is generally accurate when the tissue from the affected area is adequately sampled, but in some cases, adjacent or uninvolved areas of the lung may be mistakenly sampled. A small risk (3%-5%) of an air leak from the lungs (called a pneumothorax, which can easily be treated) accompanies the procedure.
Now about the biopsy report. All biopsies, whether taken through the bronchoscope or a needle, need to be processed and then read by a pathologist. This process may take 1 to 3 days. The wait will be difficult for you, but it is important. There is a possibility that your biopsy will come back "negative" (no cancer), even if there is cancer. The tumour may be in an area that is difficult to reach, for example. Your physician may recommend surgery to remove a suspicious nodule, even when the biopsy does not show cancer.
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A small amount of local anesthetic is given prior to insertion of a thin needle through the chest wall into the abnormal area in the lung. Cells are suctioned into the syringe and are examined under the microscope for tumour cells. This procedure is generally accurate when the tissue from the affected area is adequately sampled, but in some cases, adjacent or uninvolved areas of the lung may be mistakenly sampled. A small risk (3%-5%) of an air leak from the lungs (called a pneumothorax, which can easily be treated) accompanies the procedure.
Now about the biopsy report. All biopsies, whether taken through the bronchoscope or a needle, need to be processed and then read by a pathologist. This process may take 1 to 3 days. The wait will be difficult for you, but it is important. There is a possibility that your biopsy will come back "negative" (no cancer), even if there is cancer. The tumour may be in an area that is difficult to reach, for example. Your physician may recommend surgery to remove a suspicious nodule, even when the biopsy does not show cancer.
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