How to Undergo a Lung Biopsy

A lung biopsy can sound like a scary operation, but it is a fairly minimally invasive procedure in most cases. Consult with your doctor about your symptoms, your overall health (especially about any medications you are currently taking), and follow all pre-op instructions. Ask a friend to drive you home after the biopsy.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Talking to Your Doctor

1
Record your symptoms. If you think you may have a problem with your lungs, you should write down what symptoms you are experiencing. Keep a journal over a period of several days or weeks so that you can show your doctor a detailed account of what you’ve been feeling lately.
- This will help your doctor make an informed decision about whether or not you need a lung biopsy.
- Keep track of things like difficulty breathing, localized pain, shortness of breath, fever/chills, and coughing up blood.
- There are also online symptom trackers and apps for your phone that you can use to record your symptoms and show to your doctor later.^{[1]XResearch source}
2
Consult with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have about your overall health, or your lungs specifically. Bring your symptom records and discuss them with your doctor.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
- Your doctor may ask you to do some preliminary tests before deciding that a biopsy is necessary. This could include chest X-rays, CT scans, an MRI, chest ultrasound, bronchography, chest fluoroscopy, or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
3
Discuss your current medical conditions with your doctor. In order to determine if any extra precautions need to be taken for a lung biopsy, you’ll need to inform your doctor about any preexisting medical conditions you may have. This especially includes things like pregnancy, diabetes, allergies, and any medicines you may be currently taking (especially blood thinners).
- Remember to also give your doctor a comprehensive medical history.
4
Consider your overall health. As with any medical procedure, there are some risks involved with a biopsy, especially if you undergo a surgical biopsy with anesthesia. Your doctor will help you decide if having a biopsy is the right decision for you.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
- Possible risks include air leaks, blood loss, infection, or injury to the lung.
- People with chronic illnesses (like diabetes) or repressed immune systems may be at a higher risk for complications.
5
Learn about biopsies performed with needles. Many lung biopsies are done by sticking a long, thin needle into the lung tissue from the skin outside. The doctor must carefully insert the needle between the ribs and into the lung tissue, then extract a tiny portion of the tissue for analysis.^{[4]XResearch source}
- This is one of the easier biopsy methods to recover from, as it is less invasive than surgical biopsies and often does not require anesthesia.
6
Inquire about thoracoscopic biopsy. In this type of lung biopsy, an endoscope tube is inserted into the chest cavity (in close proximity to the lung) through the chest wall. This includes a small camera that the doctor can use to direct the biopsy. A biopsy tool may then be inserted in the endoscope in order to retrieve some lung tissue.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
- During this process, it is also possible for the doctor to remove small nodules or tissue lesions.
- This procedure is also sometimes called a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) biopsy.
7
Research transbronchial biopsies. Transbronchial biopsies are performed by inserting a long, thin tube with a telescope on the end, called a fiberoptic bronchoscope, into the lung’s main airways.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
- Transbronchial biopsies have lower morbidity and mortality rates than open lung biopsies.^{[7]XResearch source}
8
Learn about open lung biopsies. For this type of procedure, you’ll need to be given a general anesthetic. Once you are anesthetized, the doctor will make a small incision in the chest skin and surgically remove a piece of the lung tissue.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
- If you have an open biopsy, you will be required to stay in the hospital for a short recovery period.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Biopsy

1
Follow your doctor’s pre-op eating instructions. Your doctor will probably ask you to refrain from eating or drinking in the six hours prior to the procedure. Make sure you follow these instructions to the letter.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you are diabetic, not eating for six hours could complicate your insulin schedule. Make sure you discuss this with your doctor ahead of time.
2
Avoid certain medications. In general, you should be able to maintain your regular medication schedule before the procedure. Be sure to avoid any blood thinners or insulin medications, unless your doctor specifically allows it. You may need to stop taking some medications for at least two weeks before the procedure. Your doctor will give you explicit directions to follow.
- Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking beforehand – this includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins.
3
Ask a friend to drive you home. After the biopsy, it’s likely that you may feel a little lightheaded or woozy, so it would be a good idea to ask a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure. This is especially true if you have a surgical or thoracoscopic biopsy.
- It might be unsafe for you to drive under these circumstances, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Some medical facilities may not allow you to leave until you have a person who has agreed to drive you.
4
Dress comfortably. When you are preparing to go to the office for your lung biopsy procedure, try to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You may change into a hospital gown for the duration of the procedure, but this kind of clothing will allow you to feel more at ease on your way home from the doctor’s office.
- Try wearing loose-fitting pants with an elastic waist and a billowy shirt. For women, you might also consider wearing a free-flowing dress to avoid possible waistband tenderness altogether.
- A loose button-up shirt can be a convenient option as well since it can be taken off and put on easily without going over your head.
5
Arrive on time. You will need a bit of time to fill out some paperwork and to get prepped for the procedure, so make sure you arrive on time for your appointment. Check in at the front desk and complete any required documents.
- If you show up late, this could interfere with the doctor’s schedule for the day and cause him to reschedule, or to make you wait for longer than necessary.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Recovering from the Procedure

1
Manage your recovery timeline expectations. If you underwent anesthesia during the biopsy, you may be required to stay in the hospital or doctor’s office until your doctor has determined that your pulse and blood pressure have stabilized. If you just had local anesthesia, you should be discharged shortly after the procedure. The biopsy site may be sore for a few days; this is normal.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceJohns Hopkins MedicineOfficial resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins HospitalGo to source}
- If you have gauze or a bandage on, you may need to leave it on for a few days, as instructed by your doctor.
- You may take a pain reliever to help with any soreness issues. Just be sure to only take what your doctor recommends, and avoid aspirin as it could increase the chance of bleeding.
2
Take it easy for a few days. After your biopsy, you’ll need to rest for a few days. Avoid any difficult physical activity such as lifting, running, or exerting a lot of energy. Try to give your body some time to heal by resting in bed or on the couch in your home for a few days.
- If you work in an office, it may be okay to return to work after a day or two. However, a strenuous job will require a break of at least several days. Your doctor will discuss these options with you.
3
Seek out emotional support from friends and family. Make sure that you inform your friends and family about your procedure beforehand. You will need to take it easy for a few days and may need help around the house. But, also, you will want the emotional understanding and support of those closest to you after the procedure, especially while you wait for the results.
- Your friends and family will be able to listen to your concerns, reassure you, and be there for you as you find out the outcome of the biopsy.
4
Enlist the help of a therapist. Undergoing a lung biopsy can be an emotional process. Don’t be afraid to seek out professional help if you feel like you need it. A counselor or therapist can help you process the emotional strain, and even help you prepare for the outcome once you find out the results of the biopsy.
- Ask your doctor for a recommendation if you don’t have a therapist in mind.
5
Wait for the results. Your doctor will contact you with the results of your lung biopsy. After the procedure, your doctor should give you an expected timeline for the results. Usually biopsy results take only a few days, but it can take up to several weeks – depending on the kinds of tests performed on the sample.^{[11]XResearch source}
- If you haven’t heard back from your doctor in the allotted time, feel free to reach out to your doctor’s office for an update.
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