Node byopsie

I had one many years ago and I can’t say it was painful but a second one a few years later hurt a bit. But it was quick and the pain was over quickly too. Individual
reactions to pain vary a lot and so
it’s hard to quantify. Your medical team will try and minimise any pain, let them know you are apprehensive and I am sure they will try and get it all over quickly. 

Hi @riss81
it’s a bit uncomfortable but tbh it’s manageable and an anaesthetic is given first. The time taken varies but from memory the actual biopsy was about 5 minutes. Much of the time was taken by the ultrasound technician using the ultrasound device to mark up recommended targeted sites for the doctor to check and then administer the anaesthetic and carry out the biopsy.
 I recommend having an ice pack ready to help reduce swelling afterwards. 

Its a pre surgery biopsies. The one with the radioactive diy to find the main 2 lymphnods prier to surgery. Sorry i should have been more clear

Hi @riss81

I had mine the day before surgery - and whilst it wasn't what I considered overly 'painful' - I am pretty sure they gave a swab to anaesthetise the area a bit first  ... there was, however, a bit of discomfort as from memory, they need to do more than one injection, to cover the area they were checking.

Take care & all the best for the procedure

I had this test the day before my surgery a week ago. If it is the same one that I had, it is called Lymhoscintigraphy - a test which uses a small amount of radioactive tracer/dye to identify the sentinel node (first node/nodes that the cancer would travel to). I was quite worried about this test, too, as I was told you receive four injections. I previously had had a core needle biopsy and was worried about further injections in the area (the biopsy itself didn't hurt but the local injection did, then it was quite sore afterwards). So for this test, I asked if I could have a local, but they said you really didn't need it because the needles are so fine; and they were right. It was no worse than an acupuncture needle and I really felt nothing. The rest of the test involves taking some pictures straightaway (lying flat with a machine moving around you) and then again after an hour or so. They marked up my skin and put tape over it so the surgeon would know exactly where the nodes are (you also get a report and pics).  I suppose the worst part of the procedure was that the tape irritated the skin under my arm. Other than that, it was not painful in any way. Good luck to those having it.