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What is Biopsy?

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A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue or cells is taken from a suspicious area of the body for laboratory microscopic examination.

The test is essential for diagnosing conditions such as cancer, inflammatory diseases and infections, as well as for determining their severity or extent.

Some of the main types are:

Fine needle aspiration. A very fine needle is used to draw a small amount of tissue, cells or fluid. This fine needle is used to obtain cytological samples.
Core needle biopsy. A larger diameter needle is used to obtain a sufficient cylinder of tissue.
Surgical biopsy. This involves surgery to partially or completely remove a lesion or tumour.
Endoscopic biopsy. This is performed with an endoscope (a long, flexible tube with a camera) to take samples from internal organs such as the lungs or intestines. It is also used to obtain material from neighbouring organs, such as the pancreas.

When is a Biopsy necessary?

When there is medical suspicion that needs to be confirmed or ruled out with a histological examination, a biopsy is performed. It is often performed in the following situations:

A suspicious lump or mass is seen on imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans or MRIs.
Determining whether a lesion or tumour is benign or malignant.
There are signs of inflammatory diseases, infections or autoimmune disorders.
The extent of certain types of cancer or other diseases needs to be known.
Monitoring and diagnosing early rejection of a transplanted organ.

How should I prepare for a Biopsy?

Preparing for a biopsy depends on the type and location of the test, but generally includes:

Signing an informed consent form.

Fasting for a few hours beforehand if general anaesthesia is needed.

Informing medical staff about medications you are taking, especially blood thinners or aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bleeding.

Wearing comfortable or easy-to-remove clothing, especially if the biopsy is performed on an internal or large area of the body.

In all cases, the medical team responsible for the procedure will inform the patient in detail about this.

How is a Biopsy performed?

The technique varies with the type of biopsy:

Needle biopsy. Local anaesthesia is applied to the affected area. The needle is inserted into the suspicious area and a tissue sample is taken using image guidance (e.g. ultrasound, CT or mammography).
Surgical biopsy. This is performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the area of interest. The surgeon removes part or all of the suspicious lesion.
Endoscopic biopsy. An endoscope is inserted through a body cavity to collect tissue samples. This usually requires deep sedation.
Bone marrow biopsy. A small sample of bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside certain bones, is removed. The sample is normally taken from the pelvic bone at the top of the hip. A special instrument is used to pierce the skin and fat until reaching the bone. The test is performed in an operating room, under sedation and local anaesthesia, to relax the patient and ensure the area is numbed, preventing pain during the procedure.

How long does a Biopsy take?

Biopsy durations can vary greatly. The medical team performing the procedure will inform the patient in detail about the test duration.

What will I feel during the Biopsy?

Most biopsies are performed under local anaesthesia, so the area is numbed; however, it is possible to feel slight pressure or discomfort during the test. In some cases, such as surgical, endoscopic and bone marrow biopsies with general anaesthesia, nothing is felt during the procedure, but there may be discomfort after the test while the wound heals.

What complications could there be?

Biopsies are safe procedures, but as all medical interventions, they do have risks; some examples are:

Bleeding. This can occur in the area where the biopsy is performed.
Infection. There is a small risk of infection in the area affected, especially if proper care is not maintained afterwards.
Pain or discomfort. Mild discomfort after the test is common, and can usually be relieved with painkillers.

The medical team performing the procedure will inform the patient in detail about any possible complications.

How are the Biopsy results obtained?

A specialist medical team (Pathological Anatomy) performs a complex study and delivers the final report to the healthcare professional who requested the test. This professional will discuss any clinical implications with the patient, including the following steps in the diagnosis or treatment.