A biopsy is the removal of a sample of tissue or cells. A pathologist examines the sample under a microscope.
A biopsy may be taken from any part of the body.
A biopsy is done to see if the cells from a sample of tissue are abnormal. Often a biopsy is done to rule out cancer and/or to specify its type and level of aggressiveness.
Sometimes biopsies are taken to find out the cause of an unexplained:
Common interpretations of biopsies include:
- Normal tissue, no abnormalities
- Irritated tissue
- Not normal, but difficult to interpret
- Not normal, not cancerous, but a precancerous condition
- Cancer
- Inconclusive
Complications are rare but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Infection
- Scarring
- Results that are difficult to interpret
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure like:
If you will be having general anesthesia, avoid eating or drinking after midnight.
The type used depends on what you are having biopsied:
- General anesthesia—blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the procedure; given through an IV in your hand or arm
- Local anesthesia—just the area that is being operated on is numbed; given as an injection
For a simple biopsy, the area will be cleaned. A numbing medicine will be injected into the area so you will not feel pain. A piece of tissue or skin will then be removed. The opening may then be closed.
The procedure that your doctor uses depends on the type of biopsy that you are having. For example:
- Needle biopsy—cells are removed using a thin needle
-
Aspiration biopsy—cells are drawn out with a hollow needle that uses suction
- Core needle biopsy—a sample of tissue is removed using a hollow “core” needle that has a special cutting edge
- Vacuum-assisted biopsy—a number of samples of tissue are taken using a special rotating probe device
-
Endoscopic biopsy—If the biopsy is needed to be done on an organ or tissue deep in the body, the abnormality is viewed with a long, thin tube that has a lighted camera on one end (called an endoscope). A tool is passed through the tube to take the biopsy sample.
- Incisional biopsy—a portion of a mass is removed by an cutting it out
- Excisional biopsy—a mass is completely removed (eg, breast lump)
- Punch biopsy—a core of skin is removed with a special biopsy tool
- Skin biopsy—a small piece of skin is cut off with a scalpel
- Shave biopsy—top layers of skin are shaved off with a special blade
- Bone marrow biopsy—a long needle is inserted into the bone marrow to collect cells
A simple biopsy usually takes a few minutes. But, a biopsy involving surgery takes longer.
You will have pain in the area where the sample was removed. Your doctor may give you pain medicine.
If you have a simple biopsy, you will be able to go home. If your biopsy involved surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days.
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
- Take pain medicine as directed by your doctor.
- To relieve discomfort, apply a warm compress or a heating pad to the area.
- Ask your doctor when you should change the bandages.
- If you have stitches, have them removed in about a week.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the biopsy site
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Bleeding
- Pain that you can't control with the medications you've been given
- Any new symptoms
In case of an emergency, call 911.
Last reviewed October 2009
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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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