Biopsy - lymph nodes; Open lymph node biopsy; Fine needle aspiration biopsy; Sentinel lymph node biopsy

• Bleeding
• Infection (in rare cases, the wound may get infected and you may need to take antibiotics)
• Nerve injury if the biopsy is done on a lymph node close to nerves (the numbness usually goes away in a few months)

Images

Lymph node metastases, CT scan

Lymphatic system

Review Date: 09/10/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)