Lymph node biopsy refers to a process in which a lymph node, or a part of its tissue, is taken from the body to be used as a sample for the diagnosis of possible diseases or infections. The lymph node tissue will be put under a microscope. The doctor shall then look for signs of disease or infection. Signs of cancer are the main ones that doctors seek the most. Lymph node biopsy is a process that can also be used in genetic tests and in studying the immune system of a person.
Types of Lymph Node Biopsy
There are many ways to do a lymph node biopsy. In this case, there are three, among yet the many ways, in which lymph node biopsy can be done. The first one is a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The other one is a core needle biopsy. The last one is an open biopsy.
Fine Needle Biopsy - A fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a lymph node biopsy that refers to a procedure where a thin needle is the main tool used. The thin needle is put on the lymph node. While doing this, the one doing the biopsy is removing cells from the lymph node. The cells being removed are the ones that will be put under a microscope. This needle biopsy is then the procedure that is used to determine why the problem in the lymph node occurred.
Core Needle Biopsy - A core needle biopsy is another type of lymph node biopsy that also uses needle as a tool. The needle, in a core needle biopsy, is a fitted with tip. This is the tool that used that passes through the skin until it reaches the lymph node. A sample tissue from the lymph is taken. A tissue that is as small as the pencil lead’s size is already enough to perform a core needle biopsy.
Open Biopsy - An open biopsy is also another type of lymph node biopsy where the skin is cut and the lymph is completely removed from the body. More than one lymph node removed is a process called lymph node dissection. With an open biopsy, a bigger sample is taken to be used in determining infections or diseases in the body.