Frequently Asked Questions
What are the myths versus facts about Kidney Biospy?
Myth: Kidney biopsy is not necessary for kidney cancer treatment.
Fact: People often argue that non-invasive techniques like cross-sectional imaging are accurate enough to determine kidney cancer risk. But the truth is that biopsy confirmation is necessary in almost all cancer cases before contemplating a treatment plan.
The test offers information about the state and extent of cancer. A kidney biopsy may help change the treatment plan if unexpectedly aggressive kidney cancer is determined.
Myth: Kidney biopsy is not helpful because a lesion is most certainly cancer.
Fact: Not true! A lesion in the kidney can also be benign. A kidney biopsy test helps avoid performing wrong treatments for benign or non-aggressive tumours.
Myth: Kidney biopsy is not a safe procedure.
Fact: All surgical procedures carry some amount of risk. Kidney biopsy is generally considered a safe procedure. The chances of risks, such as bleeding, infections, and scarring, are rare. The benefits of the procedure certainly outweigh the risks involved.
What is a Kidney Biopsy?
A kidney biopsy, also called a renal biopsy, is a procedure that involves removing samples of kidney tissues to examine them under a microscope. The test is used to diagnose diseases and damage to the kidney.
When is the Kidney Biopsy test done?
A kidney biopsy is done to diagnose a suspected kidney problem. It helps doctors determine the progression of kidney disease and the extent of damage caused.
Furthermore, a kidney biopsy identifies how well the transplanted kidney works and helps doctors devise a treatment plan.
What is the average kidney biopsy cost?
The average kidney biopsy cost is ₹15,000. The cost can range between ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 based on several factors.
The factors include the patient’s overall health, the method used for tissue removal, the type of hospital, the surgeon’s experience and expertise, pre-procedure tests, consultation fees, and the city where the test is performed.
What are various kidney biopsy procedure techniques?
The two common types of kidney biopsy procedures are percutaneous and open. The doctor uses a thin kidney biopsy needle to extract tissue samples in a percutaneous biopsy.
On the other hand, an open biopsy involves a long incision to remove tissue samples from the kidney. Another kidney biopsy technique is a laparoscopic biopsy, in which the doctor makes a small incision and extracts a kidney tissue sample with the help of a laparoscope.
How is a Kidney biopsy done?
Kidney biopsy is generally performed as an outpatient procedure in a radiology or procedure room at a hospital. The procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia.
During a percutaneous biopsy, the surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a needle to collect a tissue sample. The patient must take a deep breath and hold it as the doctor takes the sample. The surgeon makes a larger incision in an open biopsy and surgically removes a tissue sample.
Are there any kidney biopsy risks?
Serious complications are not common after a kidney biopsy. Less serious risks and complications may occur after the biopsy, including pain, bleeding, and an abnormal connection between a vein and an artery.
Other rare kidney biopsy risks include infection, urine leaks, and damage to blood vessels and other organs.
What are kidney biopsy indications?
Kidney biopsy is recommended for people with kidney disease. A doctor advises kidney biopsy based on urine and blood test results. The most common kidney biopsy indications include proteinuria (protein in the urine), haematuria (blood in the urine), and problems with kidney function.
What is kidney biopsy meaning?
A kidney biopsy is a procedure used to extract kidney tissue for analysis in a laboratory. A pathologist examines the tissue and sends the kidney biopsy report to the doctor. The results help a doctor diagnose kidney disease and plan the treatment approach.
Is a kidney biopsy painful?
The procedure is not usually painful because of local or general anaesthesia. However, when the kidney biopsy needle pushes through the skin to the kidney, the patient may feel pressure or a pop.
It is common to experience pain at the biopsy site after the procedure, usually lasting a few hours.
Can a kidney biopsy needle be reused?
Biopsy needles should not be reused as they increase infection risk during operations. Although the use of kidney biopsy needles is discouraged by healthcare authorities, the practice persists.
Where can I get kidney biopsy pictures?
You can get kidney biopsy pictures online or from your doctor. Pictures can help you understand what happens during the procedure.
How long does it take for Kidney Biopsy results?
It may take up to a week before the doctor receives your kidney biopsy results. The results generally arrive within three to five days after the procedure. In urgent cases, a full or partial kidney biopsy report may be available in less than 24 hours.
The doctor will discuss the results during a follow-up appointment.
What are the common kidney biopsy reasons?
The common reasons for a kidney biopsy include:
- Diagnosing a kidney problem that couldn’t be identified otherwise
- Identifying the cause of abnormal levels of waste products in the blood
- Seeing if a kidney tumour is malignant or benign
- Determining the progression of kidney disease and the extent of kidney disease damage
- Finding how well a transplanted kidney is working
- Evaluating the effectiveness of kidney disease treatment
- Helping develop treatment plans for a diseased kidney
What is the usual kidney biopsy recovery time?
Most people can leave the hospital 12 to 24 hours after the procedure. It is normal to feel some soreness in the biopsy site for two to three days.
While the recovery time for the procedure varies from person to person according to the technique used, people generally begin to feel better after resting for a day or two.
What will a kidney biopsy reveal?
A kidney biopsy helps reveal the cause of kidney problems. The results are considered normal if the tissue from the kidney shows a normal structure without deposits and defects.
On the other hand, the results are abnormal if it shows kidney tissue changes. Abnormal results can indicate conditions such as a kidney infection, kidney cancer, connective tissue disorders, rejection of a kidney transplant, restriction in blood flow to the kidney, etc.
Is a kidney biopsy report available online?
Yes, you can get your kidney biopsy report online on the website or portal of the biopsy lab.
What is the average kidney biopsy cost in Apollo Hospital?
The kidney biopsy cost at Apollo Hospital is about ₹21,000. The cost includes various components, such as pre-test cost, procedure cost, medicine cost, follow-up sessions, and outpatient charges.
What is the minimum kidney biopsy cost in India?
The minimum kidney biopsy cost in India is ₹5,000. The procedure cost can vary due to several factors, such as the patient’s overall health, the method used for tissue removal, the type of hospital, the surgeon’s experience and expertise, pre-procedure tests, consultation fees, and the city where the test is performed.
Are there any kidney biopsy side effects?
As with any other procedure, a kidney biopsy has some side effects. Some common kidney biopsy side effects include discomfort and bruising, bleeding from the biopsy site, in the urine, or inside the body, and infection near the biopsy site.
How serious is a kidney biopsy?
A kidney biopsy helps diagnose serious kidney diseases, such as tumours in the kidney. However, the test is not considered very serious or dangerous as the risk of complications is rare.
Does kidney biopsy mean cancer?
No, a kidney biopsy does not always mean cancer. Unlike other cancers, a biopsy is not always needed to diagnose kidney tumours. Imaging tests can be enough to provide information if a biopsy is required.
Other than diagnosing kidney cancer, a kidney biopsy is also used to diagnose other kidney problems and their progression. The test also helps doctors to determine the treatment plan.
What happens before a kidney biopsy test?
Before a kidney biopsy test, you will have a consultation appointment in which the doctor will discuss the dos and dont’s of preparation for the test.
The doctor will perform urine and blood tests to see if you need a biopsy. You will be asked to stop taking certain blood-thinning medications and NSAIDs. Furthermore, you cannot drink or eat anything for eight hours before the procedure.
What to expect after a kidney biopsy test?
After a kidney biopsy test, it is normal to have tenderness and soreness for two to three days and bright red blood in the urine for 24 hours. Kidney biopsy is an outpatient procedure, so you will generally be discharged from the hospital once your vitals stabilise.
Before discharge, the doctor will provide homecare instructions regarding incision care, activities, restrictions, medications, and diet.