noun
definition
The removal and examination of a sample of tissue, cells, or bodily fluid from a living body for diagnostic purposes.
example
We will need to perform a biopsy to determine whether the tumour is malignant or benign.
verb
definition
To take a sample (a biopsy) for pathological examination.
example
They biopsied the lump but it turned out to be non-cancerous.
Examples of biopsy in a Sentence
During the biopsy, a cylindrical piece of bone and marrow is removed.
I had a biopsy taken from the smallpox vaccination scar on my upper arm.
The doctor may perform a bone marrow biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of leukemia.
In addition to diagnosis, the biopsy is also repeated during the treatment phase of the disease to see if the leukemia is responding to therapy.
A nerve biopsy (removal of a small piece of the nerve) may be performed to look for changes characteristic of CMT.
Tissue biopsy may be needed for a definitive diagnosis.
Women were randomized to undergo either axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).
Why should I consider a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
In a person infected with CJD, the prion protein can often be seen in a sample (biopsy) of tonsil tissue.
The biopsy may be used for histological assessment, microbiological culture and the urease test.
In general, a 10 ml sample of amniotic fluid or a chorionic villus biopsy is required.
Currently the only way to diagnose FIP is by biopsy or necropsy.
In addition, in most cases, a liver biopsy or a surgical exploration of the infant's abdomen is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
A bone marrow biopsy may be done to determine what type of cells is present in the bone marrow.
The most definitive diagnostic test for cancer is a biopsy, which is the surgical removal of a piece of suspect tissue for staining and microscope examination (cytochemistry).
Complex and/or invasive procedures such as skin or muscle biopsy (taking a small sample of tissue for microscopic evaluation) are considered tertiary tests.
A liver biopsy may be performed to test for levels of enzymes present (aldolase assay) and to evaluate the extent of damage to the liver.
Both the biopsy and the fructose tolerance test are very risky, particularly in infants who are already sick.
In some cases, skin biopsy has been found useful in confirming a diagnosis.
A skin biopsy may be performed for a definitive diagnosis of dermatosparaxis type.
A skin biopsy involves removing a small sample of skin and examining its microscopic structure.
It is also used to collect specimens for biopsy or culturing, and to remove airway obstructions.
This biopsy is usually done during surgery to remove or decrease the size of the tumor.
Other studies (chest x rays, CT scan of the lungs, bone marrow biopsy) may also be done in order to see if the tumor has spread to other locations.
The diagnosis can only be made by performing a biopsy (taking a tissue sample under anesthesia from a site in the patient thought to be involved and having it tests).
Explorative surgery or a biopsy of reproductive tissue may be necessary.
Material obtained by biopsy is then examined by a pathologist in order to look for clues as to the cause of the fever.
Portions of the biopsy are also sent to the laboratory for culture in an attempt to grow and identify an infectious organism.
Many endoscopes also allow the operator to retrieve a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.
Many endoscopes also allow the retrieval of a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, in order to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.
Blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be required if a medical condition-such as lupus erythematosus, thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, or hormonal imbalance-is suspected.
A needle biopsy involves using a fine, thin needle to remove small bits of tumor, or a thick needle to extract tissue samples from the innermost part (the core) of the growth.
An excisional biopsy is the surgical removal of a small, accessible tumor.
An incisional biopsy is performed on tumors too large or inaccessible to be completely removed.
The surgeon performing an incisional biopsy cuts into the patient's skin and removes a portion of the exposed tumor.
Performed under local or general anesthetic, biopsy reveals whether a tumor is benign or malignant and identifies the type of cancer cells the malignant tumor contains.
Surgery, coordinated with diagnostic biopsy, enhances the probability that limb-salvage surgery can be used to remove the cancer while preserving nearby blood vessels and bones.
Nerve biopsy may be indicated in selected cases.
In some cases, the doctor may order a biopsy of the lymph node to look for unusual infection or lymphoma.
In some cases, biopsy of an inflamed lymph node is necessary if no diagnosis has been made and no response to treatment has occurred.
A muscle biopsy is necessary, however, if the child has the heliotrope rash but normal enzyme levels.
It may also be done in order to identify appropriate muscles for testing when a biopsy is necessary.
If the cancer appears to have spread beyond the eye, then other assessments such as a blood test, spinal tap (lumbar puncture), and/or bone marrow biopsy may be recommended.
In a bone marrow biopsy, a small amount of tissue (bone marrow) is taken from inside the hip or breast bone for examination.
A brain biopsy (surgical gathering of a small tissue sample) may be recommended in some cases in which treatment has thus far been ineffective and the cause of the encephalitis is unclear.
Definite diagnosis by biopsy may allow specific treatment that would otherwise be too risky.
The results of x rays, other imaging tests, and tumor samples taken during biopsy or surgery will help the oncologist determine how much the cancer has spread.
If these tests indicate that platelet destruction is causing the disorder, the physician may order a bone marrow biopsy.
During the bone marrow biopsy, a cylindrical piece of bone and marrow is removed.
In addition to diagnosis, bone marrow biopsy is also done during the treatment phase of the disease to see if the leukemia is responding to therapy.