Cancer Biopsy
When it comes to diagnosing cancer, one of the most definitive and critical tools is the biopsy. This minimally invasive procedure helps doctors determine whether a suspicious growth or lesion is cancerous and if so, what kind of cancer it is. A biopsy involves the removal of a small sample of tissue or cells from a suspicious area in the body for examination under a microscope. Doctors may recommend a biopsy when imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans reveal abnormal growths. While these tests can indicate the presence of a tumor, only a biopsy can confirm whether the cells are cancerous or non-cancerous.
Types of Biopsies
Different biopsies are used depending on the location, size, and accessibility of the suspicious tissue.
- Needle Biopsies: Either a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is used which is a thin needle that extracts fluid or cells from a lump. It is commonly used for breast, thyroid and lymph node biopsies. Or a core needle biopsy (CNB) is used which is a thicker needle used to remove a small cylinder of tissue, providing more detailed information than FNA.
- Surgical Biopsies: Removes a small portion or the entire lump or suspicious tissue.
- Endoscopic Biopsy: Performed during an endoscopy, where a flexible tube with a camera and tools is used to take tissue samples. Common for stomach, colon and lung cancers.
- Skin Biopsy: Used to examine suspicious moles, lesions or growths for melanoma or other skin cancers.
- Liquid Biopsy: A non-invasive method that detects cancer cells or DNA fragments circulating in the blood.
What Happens After a Biopsy?
The collected sample is sent to a pathology lab where a pathologist examines it under a microscope. The analysis provides crucial information like the cancer type (whether it is carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma or something else) and grade (the abnormality of cancer cells compared to healthy cells).
Conclusion
While the idea of a biopsy may seem intimidating, the procedure is often straightforward with minimal risks. The benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort as a timely biopsy can lead to early diagnosis and a higher chance of successful treatment.
