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After your biopsy

Who Is Responsible — If Something Goes Wrong?

When a biopsy causes unexpected pain, bleeding, or another problem, your first question is whether it should have happened. Most biopsy complications are known risks, not mistakes. Here is what to do right now, and how to tell the difference.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin, Surgical Oncologist, MBBS · MS (General Surgery) · M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Some symptoms are emergencies — Difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding after a biopsy needs emergency care, not a wait-and-see.
  • Known risk is not the same as error — The consent form lists risks that occur in a proportion of patients. That is different from a mistake.
  • You have options — You can ask for an explanation, request your records, and escalate formally if needed.
  • Raising a concern is your right — Every hospital in India is required to have a grievance process. Using it does not put your care at risk.
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Biopsy complications fall into two categories: known risks explained to you before the procedure, and events that fall outside the standard of care. Most complications — including bleeding, pain, and infection — are known risks. Whether something was an error requires clinical review, not a judgment you need to make alone.

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

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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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MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Dr. Mohammed  Imaduddin
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M.B.B.S, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?

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Is this a known complication or something that needs review?

FeatureKnown complication — expectedMay need review — ask your team
Mentioned in consent?Yes — listed as a possible risk before the procedureNot mentioned, or happened differently from what was described
TimingWithin the hours or days the team said to expectAppeared much later, or worsened after initially improving
SeverityUncomfortable but manageable, improving over daysUnusually severe, or getting worse rather than better
Response to careSettling with the treatment the team gave youNot improving despite treatment, or rapidly worsening
Typically startsHours to a few days after the procedureMay appear later, or follow an unexpected pattern

What can you do if you think something went wrong?

Start by asking your oncologist to explain what happened and why. Ask directly: was this a known risk of the procedure, and is it being managed correctly? You are entitled to a clear answer.

If you are not satisfied, ask to speak with the department head or the hospital's patient relations team. Hospitals in India are required under the Clinical Establishments Act to have a formal grievance process. Using it is not confrontational — it is the channel that exists for exactly this situation.

Write down what happened and when, before the details fade. Note who was present and what you were told at the time. Ask for copies of your procedure notes and pathology report — you are entitled to your own medical records.

If a concern remains unresolved, the National Medical Commission and consumer courts are formal avenues available under Indian law. Most concerns are resolved before that point, but those routes exist if they are needed.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

If I signed the consent form, does that mean I cannot complain?

Signing consent means you were told that certain complications can occur in a proportion of patients. It does not mean you gave up the right to ask questions or raise a concern if something fell outside the standard of care. Consent covers known risks — it does not cover errors, a failure to follow standard technique, or inadequate monitoring afterwards. You can always ask for a full explanation of what happened, in writing if you prefer.

How do I know whether the biopsy was done correctly?

You usually cannot tell from how you feel. What you can do is ask your oncologist to explain what guidance was used during the procedure and whether your complication is within the documented range for that type of biopsy. If you remain unsatisfied after that conversation, you can ask for the procedure notes and request a second opinion from another oncologist or interventional radiologist.

Can I ask for a second opinion on the biopsy result itself?

Yes, and this is a standard and reasonable request. Pathology opinions on cancer diagnoses are among the most consequential decisions in medicine. You can ask your team to arrange a review of the biopsy slides at another pathology laboratory. A second opinion does not delay your treatment if it is requested promptly, and asking for one is not a sign of distrust — it is something oncologists themselves do when the answer matters.

Will raising a concern affect how the team treats me?

This fear is understandable, and it stops many people from asking the questions they deserve answered. In practice, a formal hospital grievance is handled separately from your clinical care. If you are worried, you do not need to lodge a complaint to get information — asking your oncologist directly, or requesting to speak with the department head, is often enough. A second opinion at another centre is also an option that requires no complaint at all.

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?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

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

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

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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