Biopsy is a procedure involving removal of a tiny portion of body tissue for examination. Then the tissue removed is examined under a microscope. Before biopsy material is examined, it may undergo certain procedures and dying in such a way as to allow a series of microbiological and molecular biological investigations. Biopsies are usually done upon a suspicion of disease. For example, if a patient has an unexplained swelling, mass, or if a tumor is suspected, the best diagnostic method is to collect samples and examine them to diagnose.
Biopsies can be performed either incisionally or excisionally. In the case of incisional biopsy, only a certain amount of sample is taken from problem area, whereas in excisional biopsy, the suspected lesion is entirely removed during the biopsy.
Biopsies can be conducted directly by surgeons as well as pathologists or the doctors from the relevant department. Doctors may perform a biopsy either directly without utilizing any imaging method or with the help of ultrasonography, computed tomography, MRI or endoscopic instruments.
A needle is often used for biopsy. Needle biopsies can be either fine-needle biopsies or thick needle biopsies. The amount of biopsy material removed during fine needle biopsies is relatively small while that removed during thick-needle biopsies is relatively large.
Biopsies can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia or without anesthesia. They can be performed under outpatient clinic conditions or in an operating theater.
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