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 Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.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
Pleural biopsy
In a pleural biopsy, a small piece of pleural tissue in the chest is removed with a needle. The biopsy may distinguish between a cancerous and noncancerous disease. It also can help to detect whether a viral, fungal or parasitic disease is present.
Pleural biopsy
illustration
Rectal biopsy
Rectal biopsy can be used to determine the cause of blood, mucus, or pus in the stool. Rectal biopsy can also confirm findings of another test or x-rays, or take a biopsy of a growth found in the colon.
Rectal biopsy
illustration
Endometrial biopsy
An endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is obtained from the endometrium (the inside lining of the uterus) and is then observed under a microscope. The tissue is thoroughly examined for any cell abnormalities or cancer. The test also helps determine the cause of abnormal menstrual periods, and can be used to screen for endometrial cancer. The test is sometimes used as part of the diagnostic work-up of women who have been unable to become pregnant.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
Muscle biopsy
A muscle biopsy involves removal of a plug of tissue usually by a needle to be later used for examination. Sometimes more than one needle insertion may be needed to obtain a large enough specimen. If there is a patchy condition expected an open biopsy may be used. Open biopsy involves a small incision through the skin and into the muscle, so that a sample of muscle tissue can be removed from the affected area. There may be some slight bruising or bleeding at the site but the risks are minimal with the procedure.
Muscle 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
Salivary gland biopsy
A small piece of salivary gland is removed for examination by needle biopsy if abnormal lumps are found, or to test for Sjogren syndrome. The biopsy needle removes a small "core" of gland tissue which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Salivary gland 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
Pleural biopsy
In a pleural biopsy, a small piece of pleural tissue in the chest is removed with a needle. The biopsy may distinguish between a cancerous and noncancerous disease. It also can help to detect whether a viral, fungal or parasitic disease is present.
Pleural biopsy
illustration
Rectal biopsy
Rectal biopsy can be used to determine the cause of blood, mucus, or pus in the stool. Rectal biopsy can also confirm findings of another test or x-rays, or take a biopsy of a growth found in the colon.
Rectal biopsy
illustration
Endometrial biopsy
An endometrial biopsy is a procedure in which a tissue sample is obtained from the endometrium (the inside lining of the uterus) and is then observed under a microscope. The tissue is thoroughly examined for any cell abnormalities or cancer. The test also helps determine the cause of abnormal menstrual periods, and can be used to screen for endometrial cancer. The test is sometimes used as part of the diagnostic work-up of women who have been unable to become pregnant.
Endometrial biopsy
illustration
Muscle biopsy
A muscle biopsy involves removal of a plug of tissue usually by a needle to be later used for examination. Sometimes more than one needle insertion may be needed to obtain a large enough specimen. If there is a patchy condition expected an open biopsy may be used. Open biopsy involves a small incision through the skin and into the muscle, so that a sample of muscle tissue can be removed from the affected area. There may be some slight bruising or bleeding at the site but the risks are minimal with the procedure.
Muscle 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
Salivary gland biopsy
A small piece of salivary gland is removed for examination by needle biopsy if abnormal lumps are found, or to test for Sjogren syndrome. The biopsy needle removes a small "core" of gland tissue which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Salivary gland 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: 9/28/2020
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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