The biopsy site may be sutured (stitched) closed, depending on the size of the skin defect. The area often heals with a small scar. Your doctor may ask you to return in 5 to 14 days for removal of the stitches. You will be given instructions on how to help the biopsy site heal.
Scissors are used to cut the specimen free at a level below the dermis. Small punch biopsy defects do not require suturing, while larger wounds (4 to 5 mm) should be closed to reduce healing time and scarring.
If you have sutures (stiches) in your biopsy site:
If the suture(s) are on the face, scalp, or neck, they should be removed in about 7 days. If the suture(s) are on your body, they should be removed in about 14 days.
Most wounds from a skin biopsy heal in 7 to 10 days. Biopsies in certain areas such as the lower legs usually take longer to heal. Until the wound heals, you want to stay out of swimming pools, hot tubs, and other places where the wound would be immersed in water.
When can I remove the dressing? You may remove the dressing the day after your procedure. Underneath the dressing are steristrips which hold the wound together, they should be removed after 2 – 4 days.
You can shower 24 hours (1 day) after your biopsy. Remove your bandage before showering but leave the Steri-Strips in place. Let the shower water run over your biopsy site. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
Showers are fine starting the day after the biopsy. Leave the band-aids in place while you shower and change them after you dry off. During the time period of daily band-aid changes, do not soak in a bath or swim.
A surgical biopsy is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of tissue from a lump or mass for examination under a microscope.
You may feel some mild pain or discomfort in the area, but this should go away in a day or two.
If a cut (incision) is needed to remove a tissue sample – for example, during an excision biopsy – stitches may be needed to close the wound, or a dressing may need to be applied.
Your biopsy site will be covered with a pressure dressing. This should be left in place and kept dry for 24 hours. After 24 hours remove the bandage and begin once daily wound care as follows: Clean the wound with warm soapy water (use a gentle soap like Dove) with a Q tip or gauze pad.
Bruising is common after core needle biopsy procedures. To ease pain and discomfort after a breast biopsy, you may take a nonaspirin pain reliever containing acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and apply a cold pack as needed to reduce swelling. If you have a surgical biopsy, you'll likely have stitches.
An office-based procedure is a minor surgery, such as a biopsy, that is done an office setting on an outpatient basis, usually with some level of anesthesia.
Although biopsies are often ordered when there is suspicion of cancer, results often come back negative (you don't have cancer). Your healthcare provider may have ordered a biopsy because of health concern that's entirely unrelated to cancer. A biopsy is much like any other test.
A cut may need stitches (or other treatments) if: the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of applying pressure. the cut is long or deep. something is embedded within the cut.
Immediately Following a Biopsy
Vigorous mouth rinsing or chewing in the areas of the biopsy should be avoided. This may cause increased bleeding or the blood clot to dislodge. A liquid or soft diet is recommended for the first 24 hours. Avoid sucking through straws and eating hard or crunchy foods and spicy foods.
After having a biopsy, you won't usually feel any pain. However, if you've had a tissue sample taken from a major organ, such as your liver or bone marrow, you may feel a dull ache or some slight discomfort. Your doctor or surgeon may recommend painkillers to help relieve this.
Patients may experience some pain or tenderness for a few days after the procedure. In most cases, the pain is minimal and most patients are able to resume normal activities a day or two after a biopsy.
Surgical (excisional) biopsy.
This type of biopsy is done using surgery to remove the tissue your doctor thinks may be cancer. The surgeon makes an incision (cut) into the skin to remove the suspicious tissue. The complexity of the surgery depends on the area of the body involved.
The most common types include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and (3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle.
Biopsies involving an incision and stitches have longer recovery times, typically around two weeks. The recovery time for a non-invasive biopsy is around 24 hours. Your doctor can discuss your expected recovery time in greater detail.
Wear a supportive non-wire bra.
The bra will provide comfort and support after your procedure. Please wear a bra for three to four days following surgery, even while you sleep. This minimizes post-operative bleeding and will make you more comfortable.
Do not take aspirin or aspirin products 7 days before the biopsy. Do not take blood thinning products 7 days before the biopsy. Do not take anti-inflammatory products 7 days before the biopsy. Do not take Vitamin E products 7 days before the biopsy.