Do biopsies cause cancer to spread?

No, biopsies do not cause cancer to spread. While there is some risk associated with performing any form of invasive medical procedure – including a biopsy – the majority of research studies indicate that the risk for causing metastases or tumor seeding is very low. In fact, according to a 2013 analysis published in The Journal of Surgical Oncology, out of 392 patients who underwent breast-conservation surgery and intraoperative frozen section evaluation (which includes biopsy), none experienced cancer spreading through metastasis or tumor seeding caused by their biopsy.

Biopsies are generally considered safe procedures when performed correctly and can be used as an important diagnostic tool in identifying and diagnosing different types of cancers. They allow doctors to determine if a suspicious area contains abnormal cells which might be indicative of cancerous growths within the body before they recommend further treatment plans such as surgery or chemotherapy. Performing a biopsy also helps doctors understand how far along the cancer has progressed so appropriate treatments can be recommended for each individual patient before it has an opportunity to spread further throughout their body.