If your doctor has recommended a lung biopsy, it’s natural to have questions.

The word biopsy can sound worrying. But in reality, a lung biopsy is simply a way to collect a small piece of lung tissue so it can be examined under a microscope. It’s an important step in diagnosing lung conditions, and it often provides the answers that guide the best treatment.

At his practice in Melbourne, Mr Adrian Pick, an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon, performs a range of lung biopsy procedures with a focus on patient safety, accuracy, and comfort.

Why might you need a lung biopsy?

A lung biopsy is often recommended when scans such as X-rays or CT scans show something unusual like a nodule, mass, or area of inflammation, and your doctor needs to know exactly what it is.

Common reasons include:

Lung cancer diagnosis and staging.
Investigating unexplained lung infections.
Diagnosing inflammatory or autoimmune lung diseases.
Checking for lung scarring (fibrosis) or other chronic conditions.

Types of lung biopsy

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, the right type depends on the size, location, and appearance of the abnormality.

1. Needle biopsy

Usually guided by CT scan or ultrasound.

A thin needle is passed through the chest wall to remove a small sample.

Minimally invasive and often done under local anaesthetic.

2. Bronchoscopic biopsy

Performed using a bronchoscope (a thin tube with a camera) passed into the airways via the mouth or nose.

Often used for abnormalities near the central airways.

3. Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) biopsy

A form of minimally invasive lung surgery using small incisions and a camera.

Allows direct visualisation of the lung and collection of larger tissue samples.

Often preferred if the diagnosis is uncertain or if other lung surgery might be needed.

4. Open surgical biopsy (thoracotomy)

Involves a larger incision and spreading of the ribs.

Used when other methods are unsuitable or inconclusive.

What to expect before the biopsy

You’ll usually have imaging scans beforehand to guide the procedure.
Blood tests may be needed to check clotting function.
You’ll discuss the plan with Mr Adrian Pick, including which method is best for your situation, what anaesthetic will be used, and recovery expectations.

During the procedure

Local or general anaesthetic is used depending on the method.
The sample is collected and sent to the pathology lab for analysis.
In minimally invasive procedures like VATS, the recovery is typically quicker and less painful.

After the biopsy

You’ll be monitored for a few hours (or overnight for surgical approaches).
Most patients go home the same day for needle or bronchoscopic biopsies.
Recovery from VATS biopsy is usually a few days; open surgery takes longer.
You may feel mild soreness or discomfort at the incision site.

Possible risks

Like all procedures, lung biopsies carry some risks, including bleeding, infection, or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). These are uncommon, and Mr Adrian Pick takes every precaution to minimise them.

Getting results

Pathology results typically take a few days. Once available, Mr Adrian Pick will explain what they mean, discuss treatment options if needed, and answer your questions.

A lung biopsy is a safe, effective way to get vital information about your lung health. Whether it confirms a diagnosis, rules something out, or guides your next step, it’s a powerful tool in respiratory and cancer care.

If you’ve been advised to have a lung biopsy, you deserve clear answers and expert care. Book a consultation with Mr Adrian Pick, cardiothoracic surgeon in Melbourne, to discuss the safest and most effective approach for you.