Biopsy

Biopsy (from the Greek bios — “life”, and opsis — “sight”) is a test method in which cells or tissues (biopsy specimens) are drawn from a living organism for examination. The obtained material then undergoes microscopic analysis, most commonly histological evaluation.

This procedure is considered the “gold standard” for identifying malignancies, as it enables definitive diagnosis, determination of the tumor’s histological type, and assessment of its grade. Biopsy is also widely used in the diagnosis of inflammatory, autoimmune, and degenerative conditions.

Biopsy Techniques

Depending on the clinical objective and the location of the pathological lesion, various biopsy types may be employed:

• Excisional Biopsy. Complete removal of the entire pathological lesion (e.g., a mole or a small nodule).
• Incisional Biopsy. Partial removal of the lesion for diagnostic purposes. Typically used for large tumors.
• Needle Biopsy. Tissue sampling using a needle. The method may be subdivided into fine-needle aspiration (FNA) used to draw cellular material and core biopsy (trephine biopsy) employed to obtain cylindrical tissue samples.
• Endoscopic Biopsy. Tissue sampling conducted during endoscopic procedures (e.g., gastroscopy, colonoscopy).

Clinical significance

The material obtained during the procedure (a biopsy specimen) is sent to a pathology laboratory for specialized processing. A pathologist then examines the sample under a microscope and issues a histological report.

This report is critical for determining the treatment strategy. It helps determine the scope of surgical intervention, the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and predict disease progression.