Tumor Biopsy

A biopsy is a small surgery during which a sample of tissue or tumor is taken in order to determine the type of tumor your child has. The results of the biopsy let us know how we should best treat your child.

The tissue sample will then be looked at by your surgeon and a pathologist (physician who specializes in examining tissue) under a microscope. Sometimes a preliminary diagnosis is available on the day of biopsy; however it may take up to a week to get a final diagnosis.

The kind of biopsy your surgeon performs is based on what the probably type of tumor is and the location of the tumor. In some cases an excisional or open biopsy is performed and the tumor may be completely removed.

What to Expect

A biopsy is obtained while the patient is under general anesthesia in the operating room; they will not be conscious and will not feel any pain. Your child will fall asleep breathing special air through a mask. Once they are asleep, the anesthesiologist will insert a small IV tube into your child’s arm to give them anesthesia.

The biopsy incision size varies depending on what type of biopsy was performed. Usually, a bandage will be used to cover the incision and this may be removed after a few days at which point your child may shower.

The risks or side effects involved with a biopsy may include bruising, discomfort, bleeding after the procedure and possible bone fracture since the bone around the biopsy site can be very thin as a result of the tumor. There may be additional risks depending on the location of the tumor.

Your surgeon will discuss any risks with you prior to surgery and your care team will give you detailed instructions on what to do before your child comes in for a biopsy, as well as what to do when you leave the hospital.