Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffMost needle biopsy procedures don't require any preparation on your part. However, you may be asked to stop taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin, in the days before your biopsy. Depending on what part of your body will be biopsied, your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink before the procedure. Ask your doctor whether either applies to you.
Preparing for sedation or general anesthesia
In certain cases, you may receive intravenous (IV) sedatives or general anesthetics before your needle biopsy. If this is the case, your doctor may ask that you fast the day before your procedure. Tell your doctor about any medications you're taking, as you may need to stop taking certain medications before undergoing anesthesia.
You won't be able to return to work immediately if your needle biopsy is done under IV sedation or general anesthesia. Depending on your duties, you may be able to return to work in 24 hours. Talk to your doctor about when it's safe to return to work.
Make arrangements or ask friends or family to:
- Drive you home
- Stay with you for 24 hours
- Help with household chores for a day or two
- Biopsy — What to expect. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Biopsy%26mdash%3BWhat+to+Expect. Accessed July 23, 2012.
- Biopsies. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=BiopGen. Accessed July 23, 2012.
- Q&A: What you should know before surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/Anesthesia-Topics/QA-What-You-Should-Know-Before-Surgery.aspx. Accessed July 23, 2012.
- How to read your pathology report. MyBiopsy.org. http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/pathology_report.html. Accessed July 23, 2012.
Find Mayo Clinic on