All Types of Biopsies

All Types of Biopsies

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from your body so that it can be tested in a laboratory. You may undergo a biopsy if you're experiencing certain signs and symptoms or if your health care provider has identified an area of concern. A biopsy can determine whether you have cancer or another condition.

There are many different kinds of biopsies. Nearly all of them involve using a sharp tool to remove a small amount of tissue. If the biopsy will be on the skin or other sensitive area, numbing medicine is applied first.

Here are some types of biopsies:

• Needle biopsy. Most biopsies are needle biopsies, meaning a needle is used to access the suspicious tissue.
• CT-guided biopsy. A person rests in a CT-scanner; the scanner's images help doctors determine the exact position of the needle in the targeted tissue.
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy. An ultrasound scanner helps a doctor direct the needle into the lesion.
• Bone biopsy. A bone biopsy is used to look for cancer of the bones. This may be performed via the CT scan technique or by an orthopedic surgeon.
• Bone marrow biopsy. A large needle is used to enter the pelvis bone to collect bone marrow. This detects blood diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma.
• Liver biopsy. A needle is injected into the liver through the skin on the belly, capturing liver tissue.
• Kidney biopsy. Similar to a liver biopsy, a needle is injected through the skin on the back, into the kidney.
• Aspiration biopsy. A needle withdraws material out of a mass. This simple procedure is also called fine-needle aspiration.
• Prostate biopsy. Multiple needle biopsies are taken at one time from the prostate gland. To reach the prostate, a probe is inserted into the rectum.
• Skin biopsy. A punch biopsy is the main biopsy method. It uses a circular blade to get a cylindrical sample of skin tissue.
• Surgical biopsy. Either open or laparoscopic surgery may be necessary to obtain a biopsy of hard-to-reach tissue. Either a piece of tissue or the whole lump of tissue may be removed.