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Biopsy
Definition
A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Alternative Names
Tissue samplingHow the test is performed
There are several different types of biopsies.
A needle (percutaneous) biopsy removes tissue using a hollow tube called a syringe. A needle is passed thru the syringe into the area of concern. The tissue is taken out using this needle. Needle biopsies are often performed using x-rays (usually CT scan), which guide the surgeon to the appropriate area.
An open biopsy is a surgery that uses general anesthesia. This means you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure. The procedure is done in a hospital operating room. A surgeon makes a cut into the affected area, and the tissue is removed.
Closed biopsy uses a much smaller surgical cut than open biopsy. The small cut is made so that a camera-like instrument can be inserted. This instrument can be used to see the area, and helps guide the surgeon to the appropriate place to take the sample.
How to prepare for the test
Ask your health care provider if you need to stop taking any medications before surgery, particularly those that can make you bleed. Such medications include aspirin, Coumadin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs).
Also mention any herbal preparations you are taking. Never stop or change your medications without first talking to your health care provider
How the test will feel
In a needle biopsy, you will feel a small sharp pinch at the site of the biopsy. In an open or closed biopsy, local or general anesthesia is generally used to make the procedure pain free.
Why the test is performed
A biopsy are most often done to examine tissue for disease. A biopsy may also be done to match organ tissue before a transplant.
Normal Values
The tissue removed is normal.
What abnormal results mean
Abnormal biopsies mean that the tissue or cells have an unusual structure or condition.
This may mean you have a disease, such as cancer, but it depends on the individual biopsy.
What the risks are
- Bleeding
- Infection
Special considerations
Please see the following list of tests or procedures to obtain more information on why each one is performed, how it is performed, the risks, and normal and abnormal results:
- Abdominal wall fat pad biopsy
- Adrenal biopsy
- Biopsy of the biliary tract
- Bladder biopsy
- Bone lesion biopsy
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Breast biopsy
- Bronchoscopy with transtracheal biopsy
- Carpal tunnel biopsy
- Cervical biopsy
- Chorionic villus biopsy
- Cold cone biopsy
- Colposcopy-directed biopsy
- Endometrial biopsy
- Gum biopsy
- Liver biopsy
- Lung needle biopsy
- Lymph node biopsy
- Mediastinoscopy with biopsy
- Muscle biopsy
- Myocardial biopsy
- Nasal mucosal biopsy
- Nerve biopsy
- Open lung biopsy
- Open pleural biopsy
- Oropharynx lesion biopsy
- Parathyroid biopsy
- Pleural needle biopsy
- Polyps biopsy
- Rectal biopsy
- Renal biopsy
- Salivary gland biopsy
- Skin lesion biopsy
- Skinny-needle biopsy
- Enteroscopy
- Synovial biopsy
- Testicular biopsy
- Tongue biopsy
- Upper airway biopsy
- Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy cytology
Review Date:10/16/2006
Reviewed By:J.A. Lee, MD, Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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