General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
New breathlessness without distress needs medical assessment the same day. Call 15 or 112 in France for short shallow breathing at 30 or more per minute even while seated, visible effort to breathe, difficulty speaking, blue lips or fingers, sweating, altered alertness, a very fast pulse (at least 120), a weak or slow pulse, or falling blood pressure. With breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, leg swelling, recent weight gain or facial swelling are also emergency signs.
A transthoracic biopsy may be proposed to sample a lung nodule or another finding on imaging. It helps clarify what the abnormality is; proposing a sample alone does not mean cancer has been confirmed.
The radiologist guides a needle between the ribs to the target under CT guidance. A local anaesthetic is used at the entry point; the team tells you when to stay still and briefly hold your breath.
The procedure can cause a pneumothorax, meaning air passes between the lung and chest wall, or bleeding. At Lyon university hospitals, monitoring and a chest X-ray follow sampling; ask your own centre about its protocol.
Tell the team immediately about any breathing discomfort, persistent pain, fever, chills or dizziness. After discharge, ask whom to contact and seek care without delay according to your instructions; the severe signs in the first paragraph require 15 or 112.
The length of stay depends in part on your health and any complications. Analysis takes time and intervals vary by centre: agree with your doctor when results and next steps will be explained.
Sources
Your health review
Review your health
Mon bilan prévention is an appointment to discuss your habits and choose your health priorities. Review the four age groups and practical information.