The results of your thyroid biopsy can give you information about whether a lump, nodule, or swelling in your neck is cancerous. They can also help determine the best treatment plan for you.
Your doctor will usually test your thyroid with blood tests and imaging studies, like CT scans and ultrasounds, before deciding if you need a thyroid biopsy. During the testing process, your doctor will take a small sample of tissue to look at in a lab.
Depending on how the biopsy was done, you may get your results in one day, or it might take several days.
A fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is a quick, accurate, and painless way to take a small amount of tissue from the thyroid nodule. During the procedure, your doctor uses ultrasound to guide the needle as it removes cells.
This method is usually safe and effective for everyone, and there’s no risk of scarring or infection. However, you should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including blood thinners.
A thyroid ultrasound is a non-invasive test that allows doctors to see the shape and size of your nodule. It can help identify which nodules need a FNA biopsy or a surgical biopsy to examine them better.
A core needle biopsy is a similar procedure to FNA, but it involves using a bigger needle. It may be used when an FNA doesn’t produce enough information to make an accurate diagnosis, but it’s not yet clear what’s the best use of this procedure.
