How It Is Done
Just before the test, you will remove all jewelry or metal objects from around your neck and upper body.
Needle biopsy
A needle biopsy is done in a hospital, clinic, or your doctor's office. During the test, you will lie on your back with a pillow under your shoulders, your head tipped backward, and your neck extended. This position pushes the thyroid gland forward, making it easier to do the biopsy. Do not cough, talk, or swallow when the needle is in place.
Before the biopsy, you may be given a medicine (sedative) to help you relax. Your doctor will clean the skin over your thyroid gland with a special soap.
Your doctor may use an ultrasound to guide the placement of the needle. Your doctor will put a thin needle into your thyroid gland and take out a small amount of thyroid tissue and fluid. More than one sample is usually taken. The tissue is looked at under a microscope.
A core needle biopsy may be done if the results of the fine needle biopsy are uncertain. A single sample of thyroid tissue and fluid will be taken.
A small bandage is placed over the area where the needle was inserted.
Open biopsy
An open biopsy of the thyroid gland is done in an operating room by a surgeon.
You will get general anesthesia and be asleep during an open biopsy.
The skin over your thyroid gland is cleaned with a special soap. A small cut (incision) is made in your neck. A sample of thyroid tissue is taken or your doctor can take out a lump if one is present. Some thyroid tissue may be sent to the lab during the biopsy to see if it has cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your doctor may take out more or all of the thyroid gland.
The incision is closed with stitches, and a bandage is put over the stitches. Some people may need to stay in the hospital for the night.
How long the test takes
A needle biopsy takes about 5 to 10 minutes. An open biopsy takes about an hour.