Biopsy and pathology
What Is a Biopsy?
Biopsy · say it: BY-op-seeAlso written: tissue sample, core biopsy, needle biopsy, excision biopsy, punch biopsy
Short answer
A biopsy is a procedure to take a small sample of tissue so it can be looked at under a microscope.
What it means
A biopsy removes a small piece of tissue, or sometimes a whole lump, from the body. A pathologist then examines it under a microscope and may run extra tests on it.
There are many kinds of biopsy. A needle biopsy uses a thin or hollow needle, often guided by ultrasound or CT. A punch or shave biopsy is used for skin. An excision biopsy removes the whole area. Some biopsies are taken during endoscopy.
A biopsy is often the most reliable way to find out what an abnormal area is. Results usually come in a pathology report, which can take some days to prepare.
Where you may see it
- Scan reports recommending a biopsy
- Pathology reports describing the sample
- Clinic letters and consent forms
📄 How it looks on a report
Ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the left breast mass is recommended.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Being offered a biopsy does not mean cancer is expected. It is often used to confirm that something is harmless.
- A biopsy does not usually spread cancer. This is a common worry; ask your doctor about your specific procedure.
- A non-diagnostic result means the sample was not enough to decide, not that something is wrong.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Biopsy”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Biopsy”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Famotidine
A histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker, a type of medicine that lowers stomach acid.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Biopsy” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “biopsy”
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Explain my reportMore words: biopsy and pathology
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.