What is a Biopsy? Doctor explains procedure, purpose, results & more

In this video Dr O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about a biopsy.

A biopsy is a medical procedure where a sample of tissue is taken from the body for examination under a microscope to help diagnose or rule out various conditions, including cancer. It involves removing a small portion of tissue (like a skin sample, bone marrow, or organ tissue) and sending it to a laboratory for analysis.

Purpose of a Biopsy:
Diagnosis: Biopsies help determine if a suspicious area or lump is cancerous, benign, or indicates other conditions.
Further Information: They can provide information about the type of cancer, how quickly it's growing, and other details needed for treatment planning.
Ruling out Conditions: Biopsies can also be used to rule out certain diseases or conditions.

Types of Biopsies.

There are different types of biopsies:

Needle Biopsy:
A needle is used to extract a sample of tissue, such as a fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy.
Surgical Biopsy:
A small incision is made to remove a sample of tissue, like in an incisional or excisional biopsy.
Endoscopic Biopsy:
An endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera and tools) is used to reach and sample tissue in areas like the digestive tract or lungs.

How is a Biopsy Performed?
Location:
Biopsies can be performed on almost any part of the body, from skin to organs.
Anesthesia:
Local or general anesthesia may be used depending on the location and type of biopsy.

Procedure:
The method of obtaining the tissue sample varies depending on the type of biopsy and the location.
Analysis:
The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory where a pathologist examines it under a microscope to identify any abnormalities or changes.

Example Uses of Biopsies...

a. Skin Cancer Diagnosis: a biopsy can confirm or rule out skin cancer.
b. Breast Cancer Diagnosis: biopsies are used to diagnose breast cancer and determine its type and stage.
c. Organ Diseases: biopsies can be used to diagnose and monitor conditions like kidney disease or hepatitis.

Content and timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
00:21 - What is a biopsy?
00:48 - Why is a biopsy done?
01:41 - What are the different types of biopsy?
03:29 - Biopsy procedure explained
04:18 - What happens after a biopsy and results
04:51 - Conclusion and extra resources on biopsy

*Website resources*

NHS UK information - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/biopsy/

Cleveland Clinic USA - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health...

Video made: June 2025

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