A biopsy is a medical procedure that involves taking a small sample of body tissue, cells, or fluid so that it can be examined under a microscope by a medical pathologist. Biopsies are done to diagnose or monitor medical conditions, to plan treatment, or to investigate abnormalities. They can be used to diagnose cancer, to help determine how far it has spread, to see if the cancer cells have certain gene or protein changes that might affect a person’s treatment options, and to see if the cancer has come back. Biopsies can also be used to assess the severity and grade of a condition.

There are different types of biopsy procedures, and the type of biopsy you have depends on where the possible condition is located. Some of the common types of biopsies include:

• Needle biopsy: A needle is used to access the suspicious tissue. This is the most common type of biopsy.
• CT-guided biopsy: A person rests in a CT-scanner, and the scanners images help doctors determine the exact position of the needle in the targeted tissue.
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy: An ultrasound scanner helps a doctor direct the needle into the lesion.
• Bone biopsy: A bone biopsy is used to diagnose bone cancer or other bone diseases.
• Liquid biopsy: Testing a blood sample for cancer is called a liquid biopsy. It can also show how cancer is responding to treatment.

Biopsies can be done in medical offices or operating rooms, and they can be stressful. If you are having a biopsy, it is important to ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have about the procedure and what to expect. The results of a biopsy, called a pathology report, may be ready as soon as 2 days or it may take as long as 10 days, depending on how many tests are needed on the sample.