Having a biopsy

A biopsy is when we take a small sample of body tissue and send it to be tested in a laboratory. In the interventional radiology (IR) department, we do a biopsy using guidance from an ultrasound or CT scan.

Before your biopsy

Before your biopsy, we arrange for you to have a pre-assessment appointment (in person or by phone) and some blood tests.

The pre-assessment nursing team and IR doctor need to know what medicines you take. This includes any: 

• tablets
• inhalers
• creams
• medicines that you buy in a pharmacy or shop, such as herbal remedies

If you have your pre-assessment appointment in person, please bring a list of any medicines that you currently take. Otherwise, please get this list ready for your phone appointment.

Sometimes, you need to stop taking certain medicines before your procedure. The pre-assessment nurse can tell you when you should stop any medicines. You can start taking these medicines again after the biopsy, but the IR doctor or nurse will give you advice about this.

If you need a hoist (piece of medical equipment to help lift or move you safely), transport or a translator, please contact the interventional radiology (IR) department.

On the day of the procedure

Here are some tips about what to do on the day of your biopsy procedure:

1 or 2 family members or friends can wait with you before and after the procedure. They cannot be with you during the biopsy. However, the IR doctors and nurses look after you at all times while you are in the department.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have a biopsy, we will ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you understand what is involved and agree to have the procedure.

You can read more about our consent process.

During the procedure

A biopsy is a quick procedure, but the whole process takes about 30 minutes due to safety checks and preparation.

What happens during the procedure

1. A nurse takes you into the procedure room. At least 2 nurses and an IR doctor are with you at all times.
2. The IR doctor positions you to make the biopsy as easy as possible.
3. The nurses check your blood pressure and pulse throughout the procedure, and make sure that you are comfortable.
4. You usually have a local anaesthetic medicine for a biopsy procedure. This means that you are awake, but we give you a medicine to make the area numb and free from pain. You should only feel the minimum amount of discomfort.
5. The IR doctor uses an ultrasound or CT scan to help guide a special needle to the right place.
6. Using the special needle, the IR doctor takes a small sample of body tissue.
7. After the procedure, you have a small sterile dressing over the area where we put in the needle. This area does not need any stitches.