Biopsy

Definition

A biopsy is a medical examination entailing the removal of cellular tissue via a needle or surgical resection. In particular, an incisional or core biopsy involves a select sample of tissue, whereas an excisional biopsy necessitates a larger specimen. The biopsy results are typically evaluated microscopically by a pathologist, who determines if a lesion’s pathology is benign or malignant. Although histological confirmation of tumor diagnosis can be achieved, a biopsy sampling error can result if the specific tissue section does not contain the most representative cellular features. When the biopsy is abnormal, the cell structure may be unusual and indicative of malignancy. However, further pathological examination is often required to make a definitive diagnosis.

Cross-References

• Radiosurgery, Stereotactic Radiosurgery