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Biopsy complications

Fever After a Biopsy: — When Is It an Emergency?

A slight warmth on the day of your biopsy is expected. A temperature of 38°C or above is not. That single number is what separates watching and waiting from calling your team today.

Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • 38°C is the threshold — Below it, a mild warmth is a normal inflammatory response. At 38°C or above, NCCN and ASCO classify this as a fever requiring same-day review.
  • Chills change everything — Shaking chills alongside a fever are a red flag for bloodstream infection. That means go to the emergency department, not call and wait.
  • The danger is infection — Post-biopsy fever can mean bacteria have entered the bloodstream. This can escalate within hours if not treated.
  • One instruction, clearly — 38°C or above — call your team today. Shaking chills or severe symptoms — go to the emergency department now.
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A slight warmth on the day of your biopsy is normal. A temperature of 38°C or above is not — NCCN and ASCO classify this as a fever that needs same-day contact with your oncology team. If you also have shaking chills, fast breathing, or feel very unwell, go to the emergency department now.

If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Is it normal to feel warm after a biopsy?

Yes — a mild warmth or low-grade temperature on the day of, or the day after, a biopsy is a normal part of the body's healing response.

What is not normal is a temperature that reaches 38°C. At that point, NCCN and ASCO guidance classifies it as a fever and recommends same-day contact with your oncology or treating team.

Do not take paracetamol or ibuprofen before calling. Those medicines bring the temperature down temporarily but cannot treat an underlying infection, and they make your fever harder for your team to assess when you call.

If you are worried right now, call

Our helpline is answered by clinical staff. If a symptom is on the list above, do not wait for a callback — call, or go to your nearest emergency department.

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How do you tell normal warmth from a fever that needs urgent review?

FeatureNormal after biopsyNeeds urgent review
TemperatureBelow 38°C, settles within a day38°C or above — call your team today
ChillsNone, or very mildShaking chills — go to the emergency department now
Biopsy siteMild soreness, some bruisingPus, spreading redness, or skin hot to touch
How you feelTired but managing fluidsSeverely unwell, confused, or faint
Typically startsDay of or day after procedureWithin the first few days, though can be later

What should you note before calling your team?

  • Take your temperature and write down the reading.
  • Check for shaking chills — if present, go to hospital instead of calling.
  • Look at the biopsy site: is there pus, spreading redness, or unusual heat?
  • Note when the fever started and whether it is getting worse.
  • List other symptoms: nausea, pain, difficulty breathing, racing heart.
  • Do not take fever-reducing medicine before you speak to your team.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is a temperature of 37.5°C after a biopsy dangerous?

A temperature of 37.5°C sits just below the 38°C threshold at which NCCN and ASCO recommend same-day urgent review — it is above your normal but not yet at the clinical fever line. If you are at 37.5°C and feel well, monitor it closely. If it is rising, if you feel unwell, or if you have any other symptom such as chills or a worsening biopsy site, call your team that day rather than waiting.

Can I take paracetamol to bring the fever down?

Call your oncology team before taking anything. Paracetamol can reduce the temperature temporarily but cannot treat an underlying infection, and it makes your fever harder to assess over the phone. Your team will advise what is appropriate once they know the full picture. If you go to the emergency department, tell the triage nurse your temperature before you took any medicine.

How soon after a biopsy can an infection develop?

Infection typically develops within the first few days after a biopsy, though it can appear later. A fever that starts one to three days after the procedure is more likely to be procedure-related. Either way, the action is the same: 38°C or above means call your team today, and shaking chills at any temperature mean go to the emergency department.

What will the team ask when I call about a post-biopsy fever?

Your team will ask your temperature, when it started, whether you have chills or other symptoms, and how the biopsy site looks. Depending on your answers, you may be asked to come in the same day for blood tests. Blood tests check for signs of infection and, if you have had recent treatment, whether your immune cell count is low — which affects how urgently you need to be seen. Have your temperature reading and a list of symptoms ready before you call.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

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Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

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Biopsy by Body Part

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Understanding Your Report

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IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

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How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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