Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is a lymph node biopsy? —
This is a procedure to check abnormal lymph nodes. These are small organs found all over the body, including the armpits, neck, and groin. They are part of a network of vessels called the "lymphatic system," which carries a clear fluid called "lymph" (figure 1 and figure 2). Lymph nodes filter the lymph and help the body fight infections and other diseases.
There are different types of lymph node biopsies. You might have had a:
●Needle biopsy – The doctor uses a needle to remove a small sample of tissue or fluid from the node.
●Surgical biopsy – The doctor makes a small cut ("incision") over the node to take the sample.
●Sentinel lymph node biopsy – The doctor uses a dye or other substance to find lymph nodes near a cancer (called "sentinel lymph nodes"). Then, they make a small incision to remove the sentinel lymph nodes to test them for cancer cells.
How long it will take you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on the type of biopsy you had.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Take care of your biopsy site – If you had a needle biopsy, you might only have a bandage over the site. With other types of biopsies, you might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on the area.
•Keep the area dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep it dry.
•Once you no longer need to keep the area dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put it underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
•After you wash the area, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on it. They will also tell you if you need to cover it with a bandage or gauze.
•If you have stitches or staples, you might need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or skin tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your biopsy site or bandage.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Ice for at least 6 hours after the biopsy. It might help to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
●Increase your activity slowly – Depending on the type of biopsy you had, the doctor might want you to mostly rest for the next 1 to 2 weeks. This includes limiting lifting, sports, and activities that could cause injury
●Call your doctor or make an appointment to talk about your biopsy results. The results are usually available within a few days to 1 or 2 weeks after a biopsy.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Drainage, redness, or swelling around the biopsy site
●Bleeding or severe pain at the biopsy site
Patient education: Lymph node biopsy (The Basics)
Patient education: Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Swollen lymph nodes in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Swollen neck nodes in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Lymphoma (The Basics)
Patient education: Hodgkin lymphoma in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Follicular lymphoma in adults (Beyond the Basics)
