The biopsy is an essential medical diagnostic test to exclude other conditions to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. The biopsy or tissue sample can show if there is an accumulation of cancer cells in the human body, which helps in diagnosing cancer. The tissue sample can only be taken during the staging of cancer. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of cells and analyzing them under a microscope. For this reason, it's one of the most important medical diagnostic tests available because it can determine whether there are cancerous cells present or not. Even though it has to be one of the scariest parts of going to the doctor, a biopsy is an essential medical diagnostic test.
Types of Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure where some tissue is removed from the body for laboratory analysis. The most common types of biopsy procedures include:
- Needle Biopsies - A needle biopsy is typically used for small tumors and may also be used for various other conditions. This can be done in outpatient and does not require being put under. A needle is inserted into the tumor or lesion, and cells are collected for further analysis.
- Image-Guided Biopsy - Image-guided biopsy is getting a biopsy by using a tiny image guide. The image guide is placed in the body and shows your doctor where they plan to take the sample. An instrument like a needle, probe or wire helps the doctor find and remove the piece.
- Endoscopic Biopsy - Endoscopic biopsy is a medical procedure that uses an endoscope to remove a small piece of tissue inside the body. The most common types of biopsy involve the digestive tract, liver and kidneys.
- Laparoscopic Biopsy - A laparoscopic biopsy procedure removes a small tissue sample from the body. The biopsy may be done to determine if there is cancer in your body or determine what disease you may have. The doctor takes a sample of tissue from cancer cells or suspicious areas inside the abdomen through an incision that is approximately 1 inch long and made just above or below the umbilicus (belly button). A video camera connected to a monitor allows the doctor to see what's happening inside your body while performing the biopsy.
- Liquid Biopsy - Liquid biopsy, also called whole blood, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or plasma biopsy, involves collecting and analyzing a person's blood. The main advantage of liquid biopsy is that it's not invasive. However, it only provides information about a person's overall cancer burden and doesn't reveal where in the body tumors are located. That makes it hard to reliably detect early-stage cancers.
When is a Biopsy Ordered?
Here are some common reasons biopsy is ordered:
- Match Organ Tissue Before a Transplant - A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small tissue sample is removed from the body and checked for abnormalities such as cancerous cells or genetic disorders. Biopsies are often used before an organ transplant to confirm whether the transplant would suit the patient.
- Identify Infections and Inflammatory and Autoimmune Disorders - A biopsy can be used to find the cause of specific symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss or fever. A biopsy may also be ordered if your doctor suspects you have cancer.
- Diagnose Cancer - A biopsy is intended to detect early cell changes in an organ or tissue, called pre-cancerous or non-malignant changes. Since these cells are not cancerous, they will not spread throughout a person's body like cancer cells would, but they can lead to more severe conditions such as cancer if not addressed right away.
Potential Results
A biopsy is a procedure to take tissue samples of your organs so that they can be examined in a lab. This will help healthcare providers determine whether the cells are cancerous or non-cancerous.
A biopsy is one of the most common tests to diagnose cancer. If the cells are cancerous, the results can tell where cancer originated, whether it has spread to other parts of the body and how quickly. The biopsy helps determine how aggressive cancer is and whether it needs further treatment.