Q&A: 10 cancer-related misconceptions

Q: Cancer patients can't do a biopsy of malignant tumors?

A: A needle biopsy is crucial in enabling doctors to assess the nature of a tumor, which is essential for making treatment decisions and serves as a necessary diagnostic foundation prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The current paracentesis procedure does not pose a risk of tumor metastasis, as the puncture needle is designed in a manner similar to that of a ballpoint pen. It retrieves tumor tissue with the pen refill, retracts it into the pen holder, and exits the body together, effectively preventing the leakage of malignant cells. Even if a small number of tumor cells are extracted through the puncture needle, they will be eradicated by the immune system at any time, thus preventing tumor metastasis.