With cancer being one of the biggest killers of Australians, finding an unusual lump on our bodies is a frightening experience.

Our doctors will often recommend we undergo a biopsy to confirm or deny the presence of cancer, and while the procedure, especially if it requires hospitalisation, is confronting, waiting for the results can be terrifying. This is our guide to what you can expect during and after a biopsy.

If your doctor has concerns about an unusual lump on or under your skin or have cause to suspect a tumour on your internal organs, they will first do a physical examination, or request an x-ray. They may also want to take a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer because it provides the most accurate analysis of tissue.

During a biopsy the doctor removes a small amount of tissue that will be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. The pathologist will be able to determine whether the tissue contains a tumour, and whether or not this tumour is benign (non cancerous) or malignant (meaning it is cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body).

There are several different types of biopsy, and depending on which part of the body is under investigation, the procedure can range from being a straightforward procedure in your doctor’s rooms, or a more invasive procedure that requires hospitalisation.

Needle biopsy

Needle biopsies are performed on small tumours that the doctor can feel through the skin. A thin hollow needle is attached to a syringe and collects a small amount of fluid and cells from the area in question. These needles can be very fine, or larger if the pathologist requires more tissue sample to analyse.

Image guided biopsy

When the suspect area is located deep inside the body, an image guided biopsy uses an x-ray, ultrasound or an MRI scan to determine the exact location of the tissue that needs to be removed for analysis. The doctor will then obtain the tissue sample using the needle biopsy technique.

Surgical biopsy

A surgical biopsy involves a surgeon making a surgical incision and removing some or all of the suspicious tissue. An incisional biopsy removes some of the suspicious tissue. If the lump is small enough to be completely removed during the procedure the surgeon will perform an excisional biopsy.

Endoscopic biopsy

During an endoscopic biopsy, a small flexible lighted tube equipped with a camera is inserted either through the patient’s mouth or via a small incision. The doctor is then able to view the inside of the body. With small forceps that are attached to the endoscope, the doctor can remove tiny samples of the suspicious tissue for analysis.

Bone marrow biopsy

If the doctor suspects a blood disorder such as leukaemia or myeloma, they will perform a bone marrow biopsy. During this procedure, a small piece of bone marrow tissue is removed for examination. The doctor may simultaneously perform a core biopsy of the bone to find out if the cancer has spread to the bone marrow.

How long does it take to get the results of a biopsy?

There are few things more frightening than waiting for the results of a biopsy. Luckily, most results are returned within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the urgency of the case and where the procedure took place. Large city hospitals can process the results faster than rural ones, especially if microscope slides need to be sent away for analysis. Then it could take up to two weeks. One exception is surgical biopsies. The processing method carried out during these procedure returns the results of these tests within minutes.

Talk to your GP, doctor or nurse to have your results explained to you. Sometimes biopsies are definitive. At other times the result is inconclusive and the doctors will have to repeat the biopsy or perform other tests to check the result.