A viral video has spread fear that undergoing biopsy could pose a risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
Published Feb 21, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Cancer
Synopsis: Oncologists say delaying diagnosis could cause the condition to become untreatable – early diagnosis is vital, and only the biopsy can help establish with certainty if the growth is benign or cancerous.
A viral claim on social media suggested that biopsies cause cancer to metastasise; oncologists are concerned that this will cause patients to be reluctant to undergo the diagnostic procedure, and categorically refute this claim as misinformation.
Discouraging biopsy could delay crucial diagnoses, leading to worse outcomes for cancer patients.
Dr Nitin Yashas, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru, told South First that he could not emphasise enough the critical role of biopsy in cancer diagnosis.
“In most cases, a diagnosis of cancer is never established without a tissue biopsy, as it is pertinent to examine the sample under a microscope to identify the type of cancer and also to rule out other diagnoses such as tuberculosis,” he explained.
He added that even in the same organ, there can be different types of cancers, and identifying the subtype is important to plan the correct sequence of therapy.
The viral video attributed to Dr Thomas Lodi, described on his website as a medical practitioner who offers “integrative, alternative and nutritional solutions” to cancer treatment, claims that “Biopsies cause cancer to metastasise by breaking a so-called “fibrin sheath” (fibrin is an insoluble protein that plays a role in blood clotting) surrounding tumors.”
The video makes the claim that once this protective layer is pierced, cancer cells are “unleashed” into the body, leading to rapid spread.
A Biopsy Is Almost A Guarantee Of Cancer Metastasis & Acceleration.
Dr Thomas Lodi, MDThe Needle Biopsy Breaks The Tumor’s Seal & Unleashes Cancer Everywhere.
The Problem With The Biopsy Is This. When A Cancer Tumor Is Growing, The Body Contains it Within A Fibrin Sheath. pic.twitter.com/UpTr1EFWGG
— Thomas Shum (@thomaskkshum) February 20, 2025
The video suggests that conventional cancer treatment – including chemotherapy, radiation, and even surgery – are ineffective and contribute to cancer recurrence.
It promotes alternative treatments using Ivermectin, Fenbendazole, Methylene Blue, fasting, and a ketogenic diet as “natural” ways to shrink tumours.
The video implies that biopsies are pushed by pharmaceutical companies and insurance providers as part of a larger conspiracy to keep cancer patients dependent on expensive treatment.
However, oncologists who spoke with South First debunked these claims, stating that biopsies do not cause cancer spread – there is no fibrin sheath, and standard cancer treatments are backed by decades of scientific studies.
Speaking to South First Dr Narayana Subramaniam, Senior Consultant and Director, Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology Director of Clinical Innovation at Sparsh Hospitals, Bengaluru says, “This is clever sounding pseudoscientific narration; not at all factual.”
He warns that nearly everything the doctor in the video claims says is false. “There is no fibrin sheath around malignant tumours – by definition invasive cancers involve the surrounding issue. Biopsies don’t spread cancer, and when there is a risk of seeding, they are designed in a way to prevent spread. Many cancers are non-metastatic.
Dr Subramaniam explained, “Cancer treatment is specific and highly successful, especially in early stages. Thousands of patients are cured and go on to live full lives after successful cancer treatment.”
Dr Dharmula Sagar, MD Radiation Oncologist at Yashoda Hospital Hyderabad said, “Cancer metastasis is a complex biological process driven by genetic and molecular changes within tumour cells.
A key factor in this process is the loss of cell adhesion molecules, such as E-Cadherin (a protein whose mutation is correlated with several cancers), which normally help cells remain anchored to each other and their surrounding tissue. When the adhesion mechanism fails, cancer cells can detach, migrate through blood and lymph vessels, and establish secondary tumours in distant organs.”
He says this natural progression occurs regardless of whether biopsy is performed.
“Avoiding a biopsy does not prevent metastasis; rather, it can delay diagnosis and allow aggressive cancers to spread. While imaging techniques like MRI, CT, and PET scans provide valuable insights into tumour size, location, and metabolic activity, they cannot distinguish between benign and malignant growths with certainty. A biopsy provides definite histopathological and molecular information,” he added.
He explained that the biopsy helps confirm whether a tumour is cancerous; it also helps to determine the cancer type, grade and aggressiveness. Molecular markers can be identified that guide targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
“Avoiding a biopsy based on unfounded fears can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, or delayed intervention, all of which may compromise patient outcomes,” the doctor explained.
In some alternative medicine circles, metabolic therapies – such as ketogenic diets, fasting, and off-label drugs like Ivermectin and Fenbendazole – are being promoted as cancer treatments.
While some of these approaches are being studied for their potential adjunctive benefits, there is currently no robust clinical evidence supporting them as standalone replacements for standard cancer treatment.
“For any new cancer therapy to be widely adopted in clinical practice, it must undergo randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to prove its safety and efficacy. Until then, relying solely on unproven protocols may put patients at risk,” Dr Sagar said.
Dr TPS Bhandari, Senior Surgical Oncologist at Apollo Cancer Centre in Hyderabad, said, “A biopsy is a gold-standard diagnostic tool and the most reliable method to determine with certainty if there is cancer. Without a biopsy, many patients might receive delayed or incorrect treatment, worsening their prognosis.”
He asserted that there were no scientific studies to back the claim that needle biopsies “release cancer into the body”.
“The idea that a biopsy causes metastasis is an old myth that has been debunked by multiple studies. In some extremely rare cases (one percent) of needle tract seeding, cancer cells might spread along the biopsy path. These have been reported in very specific cancers like sarcomas. Oncologists follow strict protocols to prevent this risk,” he explained.
As cancer treatment continues to evolve with advancements in precision medicine, early and accurate diagnosis remains the cornerstone of successful patient outcomes.
Dr Yashas clarified that only in certain specific situations — an ovarian mass, a testicular mass, or a renal mass — biopsy is deferred as there might be a possibility of spillage or upstaging of the disease. “That is why upfront surgery is carried out,” Dr. Yashas said.
Cancer patients searching for alternative treatments often fall victim to misinformation that discourages them from seeking proper care. “We’ve had cases where patients delayed biopsy due to fear, only to be diagnosed at an advanced stage where treatment becomes difficult,” the doctor said.
“If you come across such claims of cure through alternative methods, always check with a qualified oncologist. Cancer treatment is constantly evolving, but there is no substitute for evidence-based medicine,” Dr Yashas said.
(Rosamma Thomas)
