In the Division of Gastroenterology, local, national, and international patients receive world-class diagnostic evaluations, treatment, consultation, and follow-up care in the full complement of internal medical disciplines.
The Gastroenterology Institute at Rambam Health Care Campus diagnoses, treats, and monitors patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver as well as those who suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases.
One of the largest hospitals in Israel with 900 beds and 700 physicians. The hospital serves 1000 medical tourists annually, providing advanced medical care at the highest western standards.
What is Pancreatic biopsy?
Pancreatic biopsy refers to the procedure in which some tissue from an unidentified cyst is extracted from the pancreas and examined to find out the presence of cancer. It helps the doctor in accurate diagnosis. Therefore it is imperative that a conclusive tissue sample is obtained from the pancreas during the biopsy. The shape, size and the position of the cancerous tissue cells extracted in a pancreatic biopsy will determine the category and stage of the pancreatic cancer.
What are the available methods of pancreatic biopsy?
There are many methods by which pancreatic biopsy are carried out. The method that your doctor may use will depend on the placement of the cancerous cyst. The following methods are used for exact diagnosis:
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) is the most widely used method of biopsy. FNA biopsy can be carried out in two ways:
Percutaneous Approach
A local anesthetic is applied to your skin from where a needle is inserted. The needle is long and thin and passes through the abdominal wall before reaching the pancreas. A CT scan or an ultrasound guides the needle to the location from where the tumor cells are removed.
EUS Guided Approach
Live ultrasound images are used in the EUS guided approach to guide the needle which is placed through the endoscope into the timorous mass. This is the most frequently used approach for pancreatic biopsy. It is painless and gives accurate results.
ERCP Brush Biopsy
You may receive sedatives before this procedure, and an anesthetic spray is used to numb your throat. A small brush is attached to the endoscope which is inserted during an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP). It goes directly to the bile or pancreatic duct. The brush collects the cells that are examined using a microscope. However, this method has low chances to produce accurate results and conclusive diagnosis.
Laparoscopic Biopsy
In a laparoscopic biopsy a laparoscope is used, which is a long flexible endoscopic tube with a camera and light attached to it. It is a surgery in which small incisions are made in the abdomen through with the laparoscope and other tools are inserted through the incisions to remove tissues from the pancreas. Images of the pancreas are transmitted from the laparoscope to a monitor for the doctor to view and operate the procedure.
How to prepare for a pancreatic biopsy?
Before the procedure you should inform the doctor about your health conditions and concerns such as:
Allergies to certain drugs
Medications that you may be taking
Bleeding problems
Pregnancy
Heart or lung disease
You may be required to stop certain medication a week before the procedure if it is advised by your doctor.
Your stomach may need to be empty for certain biopsy methods such as ERCP.
You may need to have some medical tests before the biopsy.
About Pancreatic Biopsy
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Duration of surgery/treatment
Fine Needle Aspiration: approximately 5 to 10 minutes
ERCP: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Days admitted
None. Pancreatic biopsy is usually done on an outpatient basis.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used during a laparoscopic biopsy
Recovery
Information coming soon. Request a consultation for personalized recovery guidance. Get Quote →
Risks
The following risks may be involved:
- Bleeding
- Perforation
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Reactions to the anesthesia
- Allergic reaction to medication
- Excessive blood loss
- Blood poisoning
- Inflammation of the bile ducts
After care
- Patients who have had a sedative should not drive, operate machines, or consume alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure.
- The doctor’s instructions should be followed carefully.
- Some medication should be avoided for a week after the procedure.
- You should refrain from vigorous physical activity for a minimum of 24 hours following the biopsy.
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