The word biopsy often evokes a mix of apprehension and uncertainty. For many, it is synonymous with an agonizing wait for crucial answers about their health. It is a term that carries the weight of the unknown, marking a turning point in the diagnostic journey of numerous conditions, from the simplest to the most complex. Understanding what this procedure truly means is the first step to demystifying it and reducing the fear surrounding it.

In essence, a biopsy is a powerful and often definitive diagnostic tool. It involves a test in which a small sample of tissue or cells is removed from the body to be analyzed in a laboratory by a pathologist. This microscopic analysis allows for the identification of the nature of a lesion, confirming or ruling out suspicions of diseases such as cancer, and providing vital information that will guide medical decisions and the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.

However, the journey of a biopsy goes beyond tissue collection. It involves the emotional impact that the procedure and, most importantly, the wait for results can cause. The anxiety and stress generated during this period are significant and can affect pain perception, the recovery process, and the individual’s overall well-being. It is a phase where emotional support becomes as important as the technical accuracy of the exam.

At this point, the holistic approach to patient care becomes essential. As healthcare professionals, our role is not only to perform procedures with excellence but also to provide support for the emotional challenges that accompany them. Emotional health is a pillar of overall health, and neglecting it leaves a crucial part of care incomplete, especially in moments of high vulnerability such as facing an uncertain diagnosis.

The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH) advocates that everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help. By integrating evidence-based practices, such as clinical hypnosis, healthcare professionals can enhance their treatments, offering patients effective tools to manage anxiety and stress associated with procedures like biopsy. This article is a comprehensive guide to the exam, but also an invitation to look beyond the procedure and see the person in their entirety, exploring how we can provide more humane and effective care.

What is a Biopsy and Why is it Requested

A biopsy is an essential medical procedure that involves the removal of a tissue sample from a patient for pathological analysis. The main objective of a biopsy is to obtain an accurate diagnosis, especially when other tests, whether clinical or imaging, do not provide conclusive information. This detailed analysis of the tissue allows healthcare professionals to identify the presence of diseases, such as cancer, and assess the nature and severity of pathological conditions.

Doctors often request a biopsy in various clinical situations. When investigating nodules, masses, or suspicious lesions, the biopsy plays a crucial role, as it helps differentiate between benign and malignant conditions. When a lesion is detected, the histopathological examination of the removed sample provides valuable information about its nature.

Below, we present the main reasons for performing a biopsy:

• Confirmation of cancer diagnosis: Detecting the presence and type of cancer from the analyzed tissue.
• Identification of the cause of chronic inflammation: Determining the origin of diseases causing persistent inflammation.
• Evaluation of infectious diseases: Identifying pathogenic agents in tissue or bodily fluid samples.
• Monitoring the progression of an already diagnosed disease: Assessing how a condition is advancing over time.
• Verification of organ compatibility for transplantation: Ensuring that tissues are suitable for transplantation between donors and recipients.

In summary, a biopsy is a fundamental step in therapeutic planning. With a clear and accurate diagnosis, healthcare professionals can develop a more targeted and effective treatment, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care according to their needs. Therefore, despite the anxiety that this procedure may cause, it is important to understand its relevance and positive impact on health.

The Main Types of Biopsy and How They Are Done

There are several types of biopsies, each designed to address different clinical situations and diagnostic needs. The choice of method depends on the location, size, and type of tissue to be analyzed. Let’s detail the main types of biopsies.

Needle Biopsy

The needle biopsy is a minimally invasive technique, divided into two main categories:

• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA): This procedure uses a very thin needle to withdraw cells from a suspicious area. It is ideal for superficial nodules and can be performed under local anesthesia. The patient should be relaxed, and in some cases, imaging tests may need to be performed simultaneously to guide it.
• Core Biopsy: Uses a thicker needle to obtain a cylinder of tissue. This technique is indicated when a larger sample is needed for analysis, being very useful in lesions that are not easily accessible. It is usually also done under local anesthesia, and the preparation is similar to FNA.

Surgical Biopsy

The surgical biopsy involves the removal of a piece or the entire lesion for analysis. There are two approaches:

• Incisional Biopsy: In this case, only a part of the lesion is removed. It is used when the lesion is large or in a difficult-to-access location. Anesthesia may be local or general, depending on the situation.
• Excisional Biopsy: Here, the entire lesion is removed. This procedure is more extensive and usually requires general anesthesia, in addition to segmenting the surgical incision to obtain clear margins.

Endoscopic Biopsy

The endoscopic biopsy is performed during procedures such as endoscopies or colonoscopies, allowing the doctor to directly access the interior of organs and remove samples from suspicious tissue. It is a less invasive method and can be performed under local anesthesia or light sedation, facilitating patient preparation.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

This biopsy is indicated for the diagnosis of hematological diseases. The sample is taken directly from the bone marrow, usually in the hip area, using a special needle. Local anesthesia is the most common, and the patient should prepare for brief initial discomfort.

Summary Table

The Emotional Impact of Biopsy and the Wait for Results

The biopsy, while an essential procedure for diagnosing various health conditions, carries a significant emotional impact. The period between the indication of the exam and the delivery of the result is often filled with anxiety, fear, and stress. These intense feelings are not mere inconveniences; they can affect the patient’s overall health, making the process even more challenging.

During this phase, patients often face a series of emotional challenges. It is crucial to recognize these difficulties, which include:

• Fear of diagnosis: The fear of what the results may reveal is commonly a source of great distress.
• Anticipatory anxiety: The time spent waiting for results can seem endless and is often filled with negative thoughts.
• Feeling of loss of control: Uncertainty can lead the patient to feel powerless in the situation.
• Impact on family and social relationships: Emotional stress can affect interactions with loved ones, leading to isolation.

The Brazilian Society of Hypnosis emphasizes that “everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help.” Chronic stress, for example, can impair the immune system, making recovery more difficult. Suppressing negative emotions is not effective; it is crucial to address and manage them in a healthy way.

Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in this context. Attention to the emotional impact of the biopsy, in addition to the technical aspects of the exam, is vital. This involves creating an empathetic environment where patients can express their concerns and emotions, and receive the necessary support to alleviate stress and anxiety.

Understanding the relevance of emotional support throughout the entire process is fundamental. From the moment the exam is requested until the results arrive, it is essential to develop tools that help patients navigate these emotional challenges effectively.

Scientific Hypnosis in Patient Support

Scientific hypnosis is an approach that can provide valuable support to patients undergoing a biopsy. For many, the term “hypnosis” creates distorted images; however, when demystified, it reveals itself as a science-based technique. According to the definition by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), hypnosis is a state of focused attention that enhances the ability to respond to suggestion. This practice should not be confused with “mental reprogramming”; rather, it aims to help the patient transform their interpretation of the environment and manage automatic thoughts and behaviors.

The applications of scientific hypnosis during the biopsy process are extensive and can be divided into three main phases:

• Preparation for the procedure: Hypnosis can reduce pre-exam anxiety, allowing the patient to feel calmer and more confident.
• During the procedure: Hypnoanalgesia is a technique that uses hypnosis to manage pain and discomfort, making the experience less invasive.
• During the waiting period for results: Hypnosis helps control stress, allowing the patient to maintain a more balanced emotional perspective.

Scientific hypnosis is an evidence-based practice that proves effective when associated with other approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This integration enhances outcomes and offers more significant well-being to the patient. It is crucial to emphasize that hypnosis should only be applied by qualified healthcare professionals, such as doctors, psychologists, and dentists. Ethics in practice is fundamental; each professional must respect the limits of their training and operate within the parameters of their profession.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we explored the biopsy not only as an essential medical procedure but as a journey that involves deep physical and emotional dimensions. We understood its unquestionable importance for obtaining accurate diagnoses, serving as a pillar for defining effective and personalized treatments. Clarity about what it is, why it is performed, and the different types of biopsy helps dispel myths and reduce initial fear, empowering the patient with information.

However, a complete understanding of the process requires us to look beyond the technique. The anxiety that precedes the exam, the discomfort during its execution, and, above all, the anguish of waiting for results are real and impactful components of the patient experience. Recognizing and validating these emotions is the first step toward truly integral and humanized care, a responsibility that falls on all healthcare professionals involved.

In this context, scientific hypnosis emerges as a powerful and evidence-based tool. Far from myths and charlatanism, it presents itself as a serious clinical practice, recognized by various federal health councils in Brazil. Its application by duly qualified professionals allows for modulation of pain perception, significantly reducing levels of stress and anxiety, and promoting a state of greater tranquility and control for the patient throughout the entire process.

The integration of scientific hypnosis into the therapeutic arsenal represents an advancement in the quality of care provided. It materializes the principle that treating the person, not just the disease, is the path to more effective results and a better health experience. For professionals seeking to enhance their practice and make a difference in their patients’ lives, mastering this technique opens a new frontier of therapeutic possibilities.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Explore the training and postgraduate programs in evidence-based hypnosis offered by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a biopsy and why is it necessary?

A biopsy is a medical exam that involves the removal of a tissue sample for analysis. This practice is vital for accurate diagnoses, especially in cases of suspected cancer. Doctors request it to confirm diagnoses, identify chronic inflammation or infectious diseases, among other conditions. The biopsy provides fundamental information that helps in choosing the appropriate treatment.

What are the main types of biopsy and how are they performed?

There are several types of biopsy, each suitable for different situations. The needle biopsy uses fine or thick needles to collect tissue samples, while the surgical biopsy involves removing parts or the entirety of a lesion. The endoscopic biopsy allows direct access to internal organs, while the bone marrow biopsy focuses on hematological diagnoses, all performed under local anesthesia or sedation.

How to cope with anxiety before and after a biopsy?

Anxiety is a common reaction before a biopsy. To manage it, techniques such as scientific hypnosis can be beneficial, helping to reduce stress and fear of the procedure and the wait for results. Additionally, maintaining open communication with the healthcare team and discussing concerns can provide emotional relief, making the experience less distressing.

What emotional impact can a biopsy cause?

A biopsy is not only a physical procedure but also generates a strong emotional impact. Patients often face fear of diagnosis and anxiety over waiting for results. These emotions can impair overall health, making it essential for healthcare professionals to offer emotional support, creating an environment where patients can express their concerns and receive the necessary attention.

How can scientific hypnosis help during the biopsy process?

Scientific hypnosis is a technique that can help reduce anxiety and pain during the biopsy. Applied by qualified professionals, it supports the patient in three phases: before the procedure, helping to calm; during, managing pain; and after, controlling the stress of waiting for results. This approach promotes a more positive experience, increasing the patient’s well-being throughout the entire biopsy process.