Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Biopsy catheter
When a small piece of heart muscle tissue is needed for examination, a heart biopsy can be performed. A catheter is carefully threaded into an artery or vein to gain access into the heart. A bioptome (catheter with jaws in its tip) is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue from the heart muscle are removed. The test is performed routinely after heart transplantation to detect potential rejection. It may also be performed when cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other disorders are suspected.
Biopsy catheter
illustration
Open biopsy of the breast
An open biopsy can be performed under local or general anesthesia and will leave a small scar. Prior to surgery, a radiologist often first marks the lump with a wire, making it easier for the surgeon to find.
Open biopsy of the breast
illustration
Needle biopsy of the breast
A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
Needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Core needle biopsy of the breast
A core needle biopsy of the breast is a procedure to remove samples of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the breast and evaluate it for breast cancer. Core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow needle to take several core samples of tissue, usually using ultrasound or mammographic guidance. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis.
Core needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Bladder biopsy
A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Bladder biopsy
illustration
Adrenal gland biopsy
The adrenal glands are endocrine glands which are located immediately on top of the kidneys. During an adrenal biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathologist for testing. The biopsy can be performed using CT guidance when a suspicious mass or tumor is found on one or both of the adrenal glands.
Adrenal gland biopsy
illustration
Lung biopsy
A needle lung biopsy is performed when there is an abnormal condition that is near the surface of the lung, in the tissues surrounding the lungs, or on the chest wall. The test can be performed to obtain a sample for culture when infection of the lung is suspected, and sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage cultures have not identified the cause of the infection.
Lung biopsy
illustration
Nerve biopsy
Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.
Nerve biopsy
illustration
Sentinel node biopsy
Sentinel node biopsy is a technique which helps determine if a cancer has spread (metastasized), or is contained locally. When a cancer has been detected, often the next step is to find the lymph node closest to the tumor site and retrieve it for analysis. The concept of the "sentinel" node, or the first node to drain the area of the cancer, allows a more accurate staging of the cancer, and leaves unaffected nodes behind to continue the important job of draining fluids. The procedure involves the injection of a dye (sometimes mildly radioactive) to pinpoint the lymph node which is closest to the cancer site. Sentinel node biopsy is used to stage many kinds of cancer, including lung and skin (melanoma).
Sentinel node biopsy
illustration
Bone biopsy
A bone biopsy is performed by making a small incision into the skin. A biopsy needle retrieves a sample of bone and it is sent for examination. The most common reasons for bone lesion biopsy are to distinguish between benign and malignant bone tumors, and to identify other bone abnormalities. Bone biopsy may also be performed to determine the cause of bone pain and tenderness.
Bone biopsy
illustration
Biopsy catheter
When a small piece of heart muscle tissue is needed for examination, a heart biopsy can be performed. A catheter is carefully threaded into an artery or vein to gain access into the heart. A bioptome (catheter with jaws in its tip) is then introduced. Once the bioptome is in place, three to five small pieces of tissue from the heart muscle are removed. The test is performed routinely after heart transplantation to detect potential rejection. It may also be performed when cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, or other disorders are suspected.
Biopsy catheter
illustration
Open biopsy of the breast
An open biopsy can be performed under local or general anesthesia and will leave a small scar. Prior to surgery, a radiologist often first marks the lump with a wire, making it easier for the surgeon to find.
Open biopsy of the breast
illustration
Needle biopsy of the breast
A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.
Needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Core needle biopsy of the breast
A core needle biopsy of the breast is a procedure to remove samples of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the breast and evaluate it for breast cancer. Core needle biopsy uses a long, hollow needle to take several core samples of tissue, usually using ultrasound or mammographic guidance. The samples are then sent to a lab for analysis.
Core needle biopsy of the breast
illustration
Bladder biopsy
A bladder biopsy is performed if abnormalities of the bladder are found, or if a tumor is grossly visible. During the biopsy a small portion of tissue is removed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Bladder biopsy
illustration
Adrenal gland biopsy
The adrenal glands are endocrine glands which are located immediately on top of the kidneys. During an adrenal biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathologist for testing. The biopsy can be performed using CT guidance when a suspicious mass or tumor is found on one or both of the adrenal glands.
Adrenal gland biopsy
illustration
Lung biopsy
A needle lung biopsy is performed when there is an abnormal condition that is near the surface of the lung, in the tissues surrounding the lungs, or on the chest wall. The test can be performed to obtain a sample for culture when infection of the lung is suspected, and sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage cultures have not identified the cause of the infection.
Lung biopsy
illustration
Nerve biopsy
Nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of nerve for examination. Through a small incision, a sample of nerve is removed and examined under a microscope. Nerve biopsy may be performed to identify nerve degeneration, identify inflammatory nerve conditions (neuropathies), or to confirm specific diagnoses.
Nerve biopsy
illustration
Sentinel node biopsy
Sentinel node biopsy is a technique which helps determine if a cancer has spread (metastasized), or is contained locally. When a cancer has been detected, often the next step is to find the lymph node closest to the tumor site and retrieve it for analysis. The concept of the "sentinel" node, or the first node to drain the area of the cancer, allows a more accurate staging of the cancer, and leaves unaffected nodes behind to continue the important job of draining fluids. The procedure involves the injection of a dye (sometimes mildly radioactive) to pinpoint the lymph node which is closest to the cancer site. Sentinel node biopsy is used to stage many kinds of cancer, including lung and skin (melanoma).
Sentinel node biopsy
illustration
Bone biopsy
A bone biopsy is performed by making a small incision into the skin. A biopsy needle retrieves a sample of bone and it is sent for examination. The most common reasons for bone lesion biopsy are to distinguish between benign and malignant bone tumors, and to identify other bone abnormalities. Bone biopsy may also be performed to determine the cause of bone pain and tenderness.
Bone biopsy
illustration
Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
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Biopsy
Tissue samplingA biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.
Review Date: 8/22/2022
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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