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A biopsy removes a small piece of tissue for testing in a laboratory. It is used to help diagnose infections, cancer, and various other diseases. Biopsies use a variety of ways to obtain tissue. The procedure chosen depends on access to the tissue. It also depends on how sensitive the organ is.
Some biopsies simply require a needle puncture. Some may require surgery. Still others may involve passing a long flexible scope into the body. This way an internal site can be seen without major surgery. After tissue is removed, it is sent to a laboratory where technicians view it under a microscope or perform other tests. Some common biopsy sites involve the: - breast
- prostate gland
- cervix
- liver
- large and small intestine
- lung
- bone
- thyroid gland
- lymph nodes and
- skin
An aspiration biopsy draws out tissue by suction. A needle biopsy bores into the organ, removing a small plug of tissue. Both require inserting a needle into the target tissue to numb the puncture site. Usually the needle is in the body only for a few seconds. An open biopsy involves a surgical cut. After the biopsy, the surgeon stitches the opening. Biopsies are often done during exams with an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin, telescope device that is used to explore the digestive tract or the abdomen. This type of biopsy may be used for intestinal polyps, the pancreas, and ovaries. Recovery from a biopsy varies widely by the tissue type and the type of biopsy done. Article #6466 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
