Can needle biopsies spread cancer?

Needle biopsies can potentially increase the risk of spreading cancer, though the likelihood and mechanism are topics of ongoing discussion and research. Dr. Thomas Seyfried discussed this issue on the The Peter Attia Drive Podcast, explaining that needle biopsies could agitate the tumor microenvironment and thereby promote the metastatic spread of cancer. This occurs through a mechanism known as inflammatory oncotaxis, where the act of performing a biopsy might lead to cell invasion into nearby tissues and possibly distant organs over time. The inflammatory response to the biopsy could facilitate this process 1.

However, it is important to note that the actual risk from a clinical perspective is not fully resolved. Dr. Peter Attia raised concerns about causing undue alarm over the procedure, emphasizing the established benefits of biopsies for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning. Seyfried suggests that, while there is evidence to support the potential for risk, it might not be exceedingly high for every patient 2.