Quick answer
Lymph node biopsy removes a fragment of a lymph node so that it can be examined under the microscope. It makes it possible to identify an infection, an inflammation or a tumour disease, and thus guides the patient's management.
What is a lymph node biopsy?
A lymph node biopsy consists of taking a fragment of a lymph node in order to examine it under the microscope. It makes it possible to identify an infection, an inflammation or a tumour disease.
What benefits can be expected?
Imaging-guided lymph node biopsy is indicated when a lymph node is abnormally enlarged, persistent or suspicious on imaging, and a precise histological diagnosis is needed. The expected benefits are:
- Precise histological diagnosis making it possible to distinguish benign (inflammatory/infectious) from malignant disease (cancer, metastasis, haematological malignancy)
- Performed under local anaesthesia, without surgery
- Accessible whatever the location: cervical, axillary, inguinal, deep
- Return home generally the same day
- Allows a complete analysis (histology, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics depending on the case)
Who is this method for?
- Patients with a lymph node suspected of benign disease (inflammatory disease) or malignant disease (cancer, metastasis, haematological malignancy), whatever its location (cervical, axillary, inguinal, deep)
- Initial diagnosis or suspected recurrence
- When non-invasive tests are insufficient for a precise diagnosis
How does it work?
Performed as an outpatient consultation or during a short hospital stay (day case or a single night)
Usually under local anaesthesia (at the puncture site), sometimes with sedation or general anaesthesia if the procedure is potentially painful
Ultrasound or CT guidance depending on the location of the lymph node
Introduction of a semi-automatic biopsy system through a trocar
Sampling of lymph node fragments (number varies according to the diagnostic suspicions)
Return home generally the same day
What happens afterwards?
Expected and transient effects:
- Minimal, transient pain, managed with level 1 analgesics (paracetamol)
- Return home generally the same day
- Pathology result within a few days (7 to 10 days for a definitive result)
The complications are as follows:
| Complication | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Haematoma at the puncture site | Resolves spontaneously | < 3 % |
| Infection | Treated with antibiotics | < 1 % |
| Non-diagnostic sample | A repeat biopsy, sometimes surgical, may be necessary | < 10 % |
What are the limitations of this procedure?
- The sample may be non-diagnostic (< 10%), requiring a repeat biopsy
- For some haematological malignancies, a surgical biopsy (complete excision of the lymph node) may be necessary for a full architectural analysis
What other diagnostic approaches are possible?
🏥 Surgical excision
Complete removal of the lymph node under local or general anaesthesia, allowing a full architectural analysis, particularly for certain lymphomas.
👁️ Ultrasound surveillance
For small, low-risk lymph nodes, surveillance may be offered before biopsy.
What happens if I finally decline the biopsy?
You remain entirely free to decide. The absence of a histological diagnosis may delay your care. Your doctor will discuss the alternatives with you: surgical excision, ultrasound surveillance, or other additional tests.
What should I prepare before the consultation?
- Medical letter and recent imaging studies
- Coagulation tests if requested
Frequently asked questions
Is a lymph node biopsy painful?
How long does it take to get the results?
Do I need to stop anticoagulant treatment before the procedure?
⚡ Lymph node biopsy at a glance: key figures
Percutaneous lymph node biopsy takes a tissue sample from a suspicious lymph node, under ultrasound or CT guidance, for a precise diagnosis (infection, lymphoma, metastasis) without surgery.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Local: procedure generally well tolerated; sedation or general anaesthesia if potentially painful |
| Guidance | Most often ultrasound, CT for deep lymph nodes |
| Complications | Rare (bleeding, infection) |
| Time to result | Several days, the time needed for the pathology analysis |
| Coverage | Reimbursed by French health insurance (Assurance Maladie) at Cochin AP-HP: no extra fees |
Data validated by the team of Pr Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
✅ Cost: Procedure covered by French health insurance (Assurance Maladie), with no extra fees at our centre.
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: July 2026.