Liver biopsy results: How long do they take? Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How long does it take for liver biopsy results to come back Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on July 27, 2022A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a small sample of liver tissue for analysis under a microscope. Liver biopsy results should come back within a few days, but several factors can cause delays. Some people may feel stressed or worried while they are waiting to receive the results, but there are steps they can take to mitigate these feelings. This article outlines how long a person will typically need to wait to receive the results of a liver biopsy and looks at the different biopsy procedures available. It also provides tips on what to do while waiting for the results and explains what happens during the follow-up appointment. Timeframe Share on PinterestArmin Staudt/EyeEm/Getty ImagesA person may need to wait several days to a week to receive their liver biopsy results. Once a laboratory receives the biopsy sample, it typically takes 1–2 days for the pathologists to analyze the sample and forward the results to the doctor. However, the results can get delayed in coming back to the doctor’s office. Some factors that can cause a delay include the need for:mail, if the laboratory is separate from the hospitala second opinionspecialized tests or dyesa follow-up biopsy Procedure Below are the three main types of liver biopsies. The type affects what a person can expect during the procedure and the recovery phase. Percutaneous liver biopsy A percutaneous liver biopsy involves making a small incision in the abdomen and inserting a long needle to remove a small liver sample. The doctor may use an ultrasound or CT scan to ensure that they correctly position the needle for the biopsy. This procedure takes place under local anesthesia, meaning that a person will be awake for the procedure but unable to feel any pain in the incision area. Following the procedure, a person will likely need to stay in the hospital for several hours for observation. This will help reduce the risk of possible complications. Transjugular liver biopsy A transjugular liver biopsy involves inserting a long tube through the jugular vein in the neck and sliding a long needle through the tubing and into a vein in the liver. A doctor then uses the needle to remove a small sample of liver tissue. Local anesthesia is necessary, and the person will likely need to stay in the hospital for several hours for observation. Surgical liver biopsy There are two types of surgical liver biopsy: open and laparoscopic. During open surgery, a surgeon will access the liver via a large incision in the abdomen. In contrast, laparoscopic surgery involves accessing the liver via small “keyhole” incisions and removing a sample using specialized equipment. The latter has a shorter recovery time and a lower risk of infection. A person should talk with their doctor about what to expect during recovery and ask whether there are any special instructions on preparing for the procedure. Receiving results Laboratories typically send liver biopsy results directly to a doctor’s office. They may do so through electronic communication, fax, or mail services. Once the doctor receives the results, they will add them to the person’s medical file. They will also schedule a follow-up call or in-office appointment to review the results with the person and answer any questions they may have. What you can do while waiting Waiting for biopsy results can sometimes be worrying and stressful. Although it can be difficult to wait, the pathologists must have time to examine the sample thoroughly, as this will increase the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis. People may find the following helpful while waiting for medical test results: keeping active and engaging in activities that they enjoysurrounding themselves with friends and family for supportwriting down their thoughts and worriesthinking about questions they may want to ask the doctor during the follow-up appointmentavoiding researching too much online, as the information might not be applicable, and it may cause unnecessary worrytrying not to assume the worstspeaking with a doctor regarding any concerns Follow-up A person who undergoes a liver biopsy will typically need to attend a follow-up appointment. Their healthcare team will check their incisions and look for signs of infection and other surgical complications. A doctor will also schedule a follow-up phone call or in-office appointment to discuss the liver biopsy results. During the appointment, they will explain the results of the biopsy and talk through any necessary treatments or further tests. What do the results mean The results of a liver biopsy can help a doctor diagnose liver disease or damage and indicate the severity of the disease. In some cases, the biopsy results may be inconclusive, and the person may need another liver biopsy procedure. If a person receives a diagnosis, their doctor will likely discuss the next steps, including the treatment options. The treatment options can vary greatly depending on the condition. For example, a person with liver scarring, known as fibrosis, may require treatments to prevent the condition from progressing to a severe and less treatable form of scarring called cirrhosis. A person with liver cancer may require different treatments, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, a person may require a liver transplant. Summary Liver biopsy results typically come back from the lab within 1–2 days, but they can take up to a week to process due to factors outside a doctor’s control. Waiting for the results of a medical procedure can be worrying and stressful for some people. These individuals may benefit from keeping themselves occupied with activities they enjoy and surrounding themselves with friends and family who offer comfort and support. They may also want to write down any questions they would like to ask the doctor at their follow-up appointment. Once a doctor receives the results, a person will have either a telephone call or a follow-up appointment to discuss the results in person. During the call or appointment, the doctor will review the results and discuss the next steps, which may include making a treatment plan or undergoing additional tests. Last medically reviewed on July 27, 2022Biology / BiochemistryLiver Disease / HepatitisMedical Devices / DiagnosticsMedically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on July 27, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageHow much does a liver biopsy cost?Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C The cost of a liver biopsy depends on the type of procedure and a person's insurance coverage. Learn more about liver biopsy costs, with or without…READ MOREWhat to know about liver biopsy resultsMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C Liver biopsy results help a doctor determine any liver problems. Learn more about liver biopsy results, including what they mean, how long they take…READ MOREBiopsy: What you need to know In a biopsy, doctors take tissue samples for pathologists to examine, usually under a microscope. Biopsies are common in cancer screening but have…READ MOREWhat to know about liver donation People may donate part of their working liver while alive or donate after dying. We examine the process, recovery, and long-term complications for…READ MOREWhat to know about toxic liver shockMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C Toxic liver shock or toxic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by medications, drugs, chemicals, and other substances. Learn more.READ MORE