A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination and/or culture, often to help the physician make a diagnosis.

The method of tissue removal varies among the type of biopsies:

• In a needle (percutaneous) biopsy, the tissue sample is simply obtained by use of a syringe. A needle is passed into the tissue to be biopsied, and cells are removed through the needle. Depending on the location of the tissue to be biopsied, needle biopsies are often performed under X-ray (usually CT scan) guidance.
• In an open biopsy, an incision is made in the skin, the organ is exposed, and a tissue sample is taken.
• Closed biopsy involves a much smaller incision than open biopsy. The small incision is made to allow insertion of a visualization device, which can guide the physician to the appropriate area to take the sample.

If the tissue to be sampled is in the abdomen and cannot be safely accessed with a needle or closed procedure, an open biopsy must be performed in the operating room.

Check with your physician about stopping medications that can predispose to bleeding, such as aspirin, Coumadin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Also mention any herbal preparations you are taking. Never change your medication regimen without first checking with your physician.

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.

A biopsy may be performed to obtain healthy tissue so it can be evaluated for transplant tissue-type matching. Biospsies are more often done to obtain unhealthy tissue to diagnose disease.

Normal tissue.

Abnormal biopsies mean that the material obtained differs from the usual structure or condition of the tissue.

Abnormal results may indicate the presence of disease, such as cancer, depending on the particular case.

• Bleeding
• Infection

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
• Small bowel biopsy
• Synovial biopsy
• Testicular biopsy
• Thyroid excisional biopsy
• Tongue biopsy
• Upper airway biopsy
• Ureteral retrograde brush biopsy cytology