Surgery·Surgery
Lung biopsy
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
A lung biopsy is a medical procedure where a doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your lung. The sample is then looked at under a microscope to help diagnose lung conditions such as infections, inflammation, or cancer.
Key facts
- Lung biopsies are usually done using a needle through the chest wall, guided by imaging like a CT scan.
- The procedure helps doctors find out the cause of abnormal findings on chest X-rays or CT scans.
- Most people go home the same day and recover within a few days.
Lung biopsies are fairly common. They are performed thousands of times each year in hospitals around the world.
Anyone who has an abnormal spot or mass on a lung scan may be recommended for a lung biopsy. It is not limited by age, though the risks may be higher for older adults or people with certain health conditions.