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Liver Test |
What is a Liver Biopsy?
(August 12, 2011)
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A biopsy procedure is used to determine the nature of cells from within the body. This may be done to check if any abnormal growth found in the body is cancerous or benign. Cancerous growths need to be treated immediately as the disease is progressive in nature. However, it should be understood that cancer treatment without a confirmed diagnosis is dangerous. Therefore, a biopsy is conducted to collect an actual sample of tissue which is then analyzed in a laboratory for various parameters associated with cancer.
A liver biopsy is a biopsy procedure conducted on this vital organ of the human body. The liver is one of the most complicated organs of the body. The liver performs many different functions that are crucial for the life of an individual. No person can live without a liver that is at least partially functional. In the case of a liver biopsy, it is conducted to check for a variety of liver diseases as well as to check for cancer and other infections that could affect it.
The liver biopsy procedure is conducted in a hospital where the patient will receive anesthetic that will dull the sensation in the area where the needle is to be inserted. Once inserted it is pushed through so that it penetrates the liver. A sample is collected and the needle is quickly removed. The wound area will be covered with a bandage so that excessive bleeding does not take place. The doctor will then send the liver biopsy sample to a laboratory where the liver biopsy diagnosis can be done. Sample testing often takes hours before all the different possible conditions are explored.
There are some liver biopsy complications that make this procedure slightly risky. It is possible that the doctor may accidentally damage the liver during the process. Furthermore, there is risk that a blood vessel may get damaged by the needle. It is therefore imperative that the individual is absolutely still during the procedure. As with any invasive medical procedure there are some liver biopsy side effects that need to be explained to the patient. The patient will feel pain in the area for a few days after the procedure. The patient may also experience some infection in the wound area or even in the liver as a result of this procedure. This can be avoided to an extent by sterilizing the incision site and by using properly cleaned equipment for the liver biopsy.
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Submitted by N on August 12, 2011 at 09:27
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