Can Puncture Biopsy Needle Cause Cancer Metastasis?

At present, the widely used hollow cannula needle has a protective sheath outside, just like the pen core and pen holder of a ballpoint pen. When the switch is started, the puncture needle will Pierce into the tumor while the protective sheath is still located outside the tumor. After the collection is finished, the puncture needle will retract into the protective sheath, thus avoiding the leakage of cancer cells during the process of pulling out the puncture needle. At the same time, under the guidance of ultrasound, large blood vessels can be effectively avoided to minimize the possibility of tumor cells entering the circulation.

Studies have shown that puncture can indeed occur when a very small number of tumor cells "drop", these deserters are attacked by the immune system and disappear, and the very small number of cells is basically difficult to form "needle path metastasis". Even if tumor cells are planted, the doubling time can take weeks to months. If surgical excision can be performed within a few weeks of biopsy, the risk of tumor spread and metastasis can also be offset by postoperative chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. In addition, before puncture, the puncture point and needle path will be designed within the incision range of the resection operation. If the final result is a diagnosis of breast cancer, the puncture point and needle path can be removed together during the operation, so that there is no "planting" place for the minimal risk. Studies have shown that the risk of diffusion and metastasis caused by needle biopsy is less than one in 1,000, which is a rare event with a very low probability and almost negligible.