New Ultrasound Biopsy Helps Patients Avoid Surgery when Testing for Lung and Throat Cancer

Some hospitals are using a new type of biopsy that does not require surgery to test for lung and throat cancer.

This less invasive way to get a lung tissue sample reduces the need for surgical biopsy. There's no need for the patient to have general anesthesia. Only sedation is necessary.

The scope is inserted through the nose or mouth down to the breathing tubes, and then a needle is inserted through a scope under the guidance of an ultrasound to biopsy the area of concern.

Ultrasound guidance makes the biopsy more accurate and reduces the risk of complications. In 80 to 90 percent of the cases, doctors said this is the only procedure needed to diagnose and stage the level of disease.