Biopsy Its causes and importance in the diagnosis of diseases
What is a Biopsy?
A biopsy is one of the methods healthcare providers use to determine what’s happening inside your body. In a biopsy, a specialist removes samples of tissue, cells, or fluids so that a pathologist can examine them for signs of disease.
Specialists may recommend biopsies to diagnose or monitor medical conditions, or to plan treatment.
You might hear the term “biopsy” and think of “cancer,” but specialists perform biopsies to diagnose many medical conditions, such as:
- Inflammatory disorders like nephritis (kidney inflammation) or hepatitis (liver inflammation).
- Infections such as tuberculosis.
- Immune disorders like chronic pancreatitis.
- Peptic ulcer disease.
- Endometrial problems.
Types of Biopsies
All biopsies involve obtaining samples of tissues and fluids, but they are done in various ways.
Specialists may perform biopsies in medical offices or operating rooms. Types of biopsies include:
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Bone Marrow Biopsy
A specialist uses a special biopsy needle and syringe to obtain a small sample of bone marrow.
They perform bone marrow biopsies to diagnose blood cancers, blood disorders, and other diseases.
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Conical Biopsy
Also known as a cold knife cone biopsy, specialists perform conical biopsies to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix.
Conical biopsies can reveal cervical cancer or cervical dysplasia, which may lead to cancer.
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Excisional Biopsy or Surgical Biopsies
In these procedures, a specialist makes incisions or cuts into your body to remove tissues from within.
Excisional biopsies involve removing entire lumps or suspicious areas. Surgical biopsies involve taking tissue samples from lumps or suspicious areas.
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CT-Guided Biopsy
The person lies in a CT scanner; the scanner images help doctors precisely guide the needle to the targeted tissue.
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Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy
An ultrasound scanner helps the doctor guide the needle to the required tissue.
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Liver Biopsy
A needle is injected into the liver through the skin of the abdomen to collect liver tissue.
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Kidney Biopsy
Similar to a liver biopsy, a needle is injected through the skin on the back into the kidney.
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Prostate Biopsy
Multiple needle biopsies are taken simultaneously from the prostate gland. To access the prostate, a probe is inserted into the rectum.
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Liquid Biopsy
This blood test reveals markers of cancer cells or the DNA of cancer cells.
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Needle Biopsy
A specialist uses needle biopsies to extract cells, fluids, or tissues. Your doctor may order a needle biopsy if they feel an unusual lump or bump in your body or if imaging tests reveal potential issues.
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Punch Biopsy
A specialist uses a special device to remove potentially cancerous tissue, which works by creating a hole in your skin surface.
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Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
A specialist performs this procedure to determine if cancer cells have spread.
What Happens Before a Biopsy?
Your doctor understands why you might be concerned about undergoing a biopsy.
They will take the time to explain the procedure that will be used, including whether you will be awake or under anesthesia. They will also review the following information:
- Medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- Any allergies you have, including latex allergies. Specialists often wear latex gloves during biopsies.
- Your current health: The specialist will know the medical issues requiring the biopsy and any other medical conditions, but they may ask if you have new issues. For example, they might ask about viral infections like colds or the flu.
- Possibility of pregnancy.
You will also need to:
- Stop eating or drinking fluids before the biopsy.
- Temporarily stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin or blood thinners.
- Have someone stay with you for a few hours during recovery.
Finally, the specialist will explain the type of anesthesia they will use so that you do not feel pain during the procedure:
- Local anesthesia, which numbs a small part of your body.
- General anesthesia, which makes you unconscious and unable to feel pain.
What happens during a biopsy?
There are different ways to do biopsies. The type of biopsy you will have depends on the location of the tissue or fluid that the doctor wants to examine.
Some common biopsies are:
- Breast biopsy.
- Prostate biopsy, including MRI-guided prostate biopsy.
- Endometrial biopsy to detect problems related to the endometrium.
- Biopsy of the liver.
- Kidney biopsy.
- Skin biopsy.
What happens after a biopsy?
It depends on which anesthesia is used and whether there are complications. In general, people who have received local anesthesia can go home after the operation.
People who have undergone general anesthesia usually stay in the hospital overnight.
Do biopsies hurt?
If you received anesthesia, the procedures should not hurt. You may have some pain after the operation. If this happens, tell your doctor. He will recommend painkillers.
What are the possible complications of biopsy?
Biopsy complications are rare, but they can occur. Depending on the biopsy procedure, complications may include:
- Excessive bleeding.
- Infection.
- You may have a small scar at the biopsy site if the specialist used a scalpel or other sharp instrument to obtain tissue samples.
Uses of biopsies
A biopsy can be used for many purposes, including:
- Diagnosis: a biopsy can help determine the type of disease or condition the patient has.
- Treatment monitoring: a biopsy can be used to monitor the patient’s response to treatment.
- Confirm the diagnosis: a biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis made based on other tests.
When can the results of the biopsy be known?
Waiting for the results may be the hardest part of a biopsy. Your doctor will explain how and when you will receive the results.
Biopsy results may be available within a few hours, a few days, or more than a week.
What happens if the biopsy results show that something is wrong?
The doctor will explain the test results that detect problems, such as cells that do not resemble normal cells.
They will also explain the next steps, be it additional tests or treatment planning.
Are biopsy results always accurate?
Biopsies are a very accurate way to detect abnormal cells or other changes in your body that may be signs of problems. However, studies indicate the occurrence of false negative results.
A false negative result means that you have cancer or another disease that the biopsy did not detect.
False negative rates vary depending on the type of cancer or medical condition. If you are having a biopsy, ask the doctor about the false negative rates for this type of biopsy.
Turkey Healthcare Group stands out with a team of distinguished medical experts in Turkey, who always strive to provide the best healthcare services to patients.
If you are looking for exceptional healthcare or need medical consultation from top doctors, feel free to contact us.
We also invite you to view our leading medical staff and get to know their qualifications and experiences up close. We are here to ensure you receive the best possible healthcare.
Turkey Healthcare Group stands out with a team of distinguished medical experts in Turkey, who always strive to provide the best healthcare services to patients.
If you are looking for exceptional healthcare or need medical consultation from top doctors, feel free to contact us.
We also invite you to view our leading medical staff and get to know their qualifications and experiences up close.
We are here to ensure you receive the best possible healthcare.
