Thyroid Biopsy Overview

A thyroid biopsy is a crucial procedure used to evaluate thyroid nodules, as a small percentage of these nodules can be cancerous. Identifying malignant nodules early is vital for timely treatment. Not every patient with a thyroid nodule requires a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy; healthcare providers typically start with imaging techniques such as ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scans to assess the nodules.

While fine needle aspiration is the most common method for obtaining tissue samples, other biopsy techniques include core needle biopsy and surgical biopsy.

Procedure of Thyroid Biopsy

The biopsy is often performed under the guidance of an ultrasound machine, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the nodule. This imaging helps prevent damage to surrounding structures during the procedure.

Initially, a gel-like substance is applied to the neck to facilitate ultrasound imaging. After cleaning the area, the physician carefully inserts a thin, fine needle into the thyroid gland. Although patients may experience slight discomfort during this step, it is generally manageable.

The needle is attached to a syringe that generates suction to extract a small number of cells from the nodule. Once the needle is removed, the collected cells are placed on a slide for laboratory analysis. To ensure adequate sampling, the physician may repeat the procedure several times to obtain tissue from different areas of the nodule.

After the biopsy, patients may experience soreness at the biopsy site for a day or two. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken if needed to manage any discomfort.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend thyroid hormone pills, which can help reduce the likelihood of nodules returning.