Biopsy Health Dictionary

Biopsy: From 4 Different Sources


A diagnostic test in which a small amount of tissue or cells are removed from the body for microscopic examination. It is an accurate method of diagnosing many illnesses, including cancer. Microscopic examination of tissue (histology) or of cells (cytology) usually gives a correct diagnosis.

There are several types of biopsy. In excisional biopsy, the whole abnormal area is removed for study. Incisional biopsy involves cutting away a small sample of skin or muscle for analysis. In a needle biopsy, a needle is inserted through the skin and into the organ or tumour to be investigated. Aspiration biopsy uses a needle and syringe to remove cells from a solid lump. Guided biopsy uses ultrasound scanning or CT scanning to locate the area of tissue to be biopsied and to follow the progress of the needle. In endoscopic biopsy, an endoscope is passed into the organ to be investigated and an attachment is used to take a sample from the lining of accessible hollow organs and structures, such as the lungs, stomach, colon, and bladder. In an open biopsy, a surgeon opens a body cavity to reveal a diseased organ or tumour and removes a sample of tissue. Prompt analysis, in some cases by frozen section, can enable the surgeon to decide whether to remove the entire diseased area immediately.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
A surgical process in which a small piece of tissue is cut out or otherwise sampled, e.g. through a needle biopsy, to enable a diagnosis to be made.
Health Source: Dictionary of Tropical Medicine
Author: Health Dictionary
Biopsy means the removal and examination of tissue from the living body for diagnostic purposes. For example, a piece of a tumour may be cut out and examined to determine whether it is cancerous.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. the removal of a small piece of living tissue from an organ or part of the body for microscopic examination. Biopsy is an important means of diagnosing cancer from examination of a fragment of tumour. It is often carried out with a special hollow needle, inserted into the liver, kidney, or other organ, with relatively little discomfort to the patient.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Cone Biopsy

A surgical procedure in which a conical or cylindrical section of the lower part of the cervix is removed. A cone biopsy is performed after an abnormal cervical smear test result if the exact precancerous or cancerous area (see cervix, cancer of) cannot be identified by colposcopy.... cone biopsy

Jejunal Biopsy

A diagnostic test in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the lining of the jejunum for microscopic examination.

It is especially useful in the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, lymphoma, and other causes of malabsorption.

The biopsy is taken using an endoscope passed down the throat into the small intestine, via the stomach.... jejunal biopsy

Excision Biopsy

A biopsy of a lesion for the purposes of diagnosis in which the whole lesion is exc ised.... excision biopsy

Biopsy Samples

are analysed by staining, in which Abnormal area dyes are used to Normal to show up structures or identify constituents such as antibodies or enzymes. A tissue sample may be tested with specific antibodies in the investigation of infection and inflammation. In some cases, a tis-sue culture may be required.... biopsy samples

Bone Marrow Biopsy

A procedure to obtain a sample of cells from the bone marrow (aspiration biopsy) or a small core of bone with marrow inside (trephine biopsy). The sample is usually taken, under local anaesthesia, from the sternum (breastbone) or iliac crests (upper part of the hip-bones). Microscopic examination gives information on the development of the blood components

surrounding tissues. Radionuclide scanning detects areas throughout the skeleton in which there is high bone-cell activity. This type of scanning and on the presence of cells foreign to the marrow.

It is useful in the diagnosis of many blood disorders, including leukaemia and anaemia.

It can also show whether bone marrow has been invaded by lymphoma or cells from other tumours.... bone marrow biopsy

Kidney Biopsy

A procedure in which a small sample of kidney tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.

Kidney biopsy is performed to investigate and diagnose serious kidney disorders, such as glomerulonephritis, proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, and acute kidney failure, or to assess the kidneys’ response to treatment.

There are 2 basic techniques: percutaneous needle biopsy, in which a hollow needle is passed through the skin into the kidney under local anaesthesia; and open surgery under general anaesthesia.... kidney biopsy

Liver Biopsy

A diagnostic test in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the liver, usually under local anaesthesia. The main function of this test is to diagnose liver diseases. (See also biopsy.)... liver biopsy

Renal Biopsy

See kidney biopsy.... renal biopsy

Skin Biopsy

Removal of a portion of skin for laboratory analysis in order to diagnose a skin disorder.... skin biopsy

Plugged Biopsy

an *interventional radiology technique in which, after taking a sample of tissue (biopsy) to check for cancer cells or abnormality, the tract of the biopsy needle is plugged with materials to prevent bleeding at the site. It is mostly used for liver and renal biopsies.... plugged biopsy



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