Needle Biopsy

We studied 101 thin-needle biopsy specimens from the breast, lungs, subcutaneous lesions and lymph nodes, thyroid, and pancreas. An 18-gauge needle attached to a 5-ml syringe was employed for biopsy. The lung specimens were obtained using television fluoroscopy and those from the pancreas only at laparotomy. Thirty-one malignant neoplasms were diagnosed—4 from the breast, 12 from the lung, 11 from subcutaneous masses and lymph nodes, and 4 from the pancreas. There were no false-positive diagnoses. This inexpensive technique is rapid and often may be done in the office. Sometimes, with this procedure, hospitalization and surgery can be prevented, and at other times, vitally essential surgical procedures can be hastened.