Lymph Node Biopsy
Risks
There is a chance of an infection at the biopsy site. An infection can be treated with Reference antibiotics Opens New Window.
Call your doctor immediately if:
- Your pain lasts longer than a week.
- You have redness, a lot of swelling, bleeding, or pus from the biopsy site.
- You have a fever.
- There is fluid buildup in the area where the lymph node was taken out. This occurs most often when removing the lymph nodes that run in a line from under the arm to the collarbone (axillary lymph nodes). This can happen immediately after surgery or even months or years later. Most people who have a lymph node biopsy do not have a problem with fluid buildup.
- Numbness in the skin near the biopsy site. This may be caused by nerve damage.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 29, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
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