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Lymph node biopsy / excision
Category: General & Abdominal Surgery · All general & abdominal surgery
What it is
A lymph node biopsy removes part or all of an enlarged lymph node so it can be examined under the microscope. Excision of the whole node gives the laboratory the most complete information, especially when lymphoma is a possibility.
Why it is done
It is used to diagnose the cause of persistently enlarged lymph nodes — infection, inflammation or cancer including lymphoma — when blood tests and scans have not given the answer.
How to prepare
You will have blood tests and usually a scan first. The procedure is often done under local anaesthetic for surface nodes (neck, armpit, groin) as a day case. You may not need to fast for local anaesthetic cases; the team will tell you.
What happens during the procedure
Under local (or sometimes general) anaesthetic, a small cut is made over the node, which is carefully removed and sent fresh to the laboratory for multiple tests, including infection cultures if relevant. The wound is stitched and dressed. It takes about 20 to 40 minutes.
Afterwards — recovery & results
You can usually go home the same day. Keep the wound clean and dry as advised; mild ache and bruising are normal. Results usually take one to two weeks, because several specialised tests are performed, and are discussed at your clinic appointment.
Risks & considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection, a fluid collection, numbness around the scar, and rarely injury to nearby small nerves (for example in the neck). Serious complications are uncommon.
Watch: Lymph node biopsy / excision videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Why remove the whole node rather than a needle sample?
The architecture of the whole node matters for diagnosing lymphoma types, and needle samples sometimes miss the diagnosis. Your specialist chooses based on the suspicion and node position.
Why do results take so long?
The tissue undergoes microscopy, special stains, flow tests and sometimes genetic studies — a thorough process that guides precise treatment.
Related procedures — General & Abdominal Surgery
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