In most cases, doctors need to do a biopsy to make a diagnosis of cancer. For a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue and sends it to a lab. A pathologist looks at the tissue under a microscope. The sample may be removed in several ways:
- With a needle: The doctor uses a needle to withdraw tissue or fluid.
- With an endoscope: The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube (an endoscope) to look at areas inside the body. The doctor can remove tissue or cells through the tube.
- With surgery: Surgery may be excisional or incisional.
- In an excisional biopsy, the surgeon removes the entire tumor. Often some of the normal tissue around the tumor also is removed.
- In an incisional biopsy, the surgeon removes just part of the tumor.
You may want to ask the doctor these questions before having a biopsy:
- Where will I go for the biopsy?
- How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
- Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the procedure?
- How soon will I know the results?
- If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?
This information is produced and provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). References are available at their website at www.cancer.gov. The information in this topic may have changed since it was written. For the most current information, contact the National Cancer Institute via www.cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER.