How is a biopsy done?
A biopsy is a common medical test used to obtain a sample of human tissue to diagnose a disease or evaluate a condition. In recent years, with the advancement of medical technology, biopsy technology has been continuously updated and has become a key method for the diagnosis of many diseases. This article will introduce in detail the definition, types, examination process, precautions and recent hot topics related to biopsy.
1. Definition of biopsy

Biopsy refers to the removal of a small amount of tissue or cells from a patient's body and examination through a microscope or other laboratory techniques to determine whether abnormalities or diseases are present. Biopsies are widely used in cancer diagnosis, inflammatory disease evaluation, and other pathological examinations.
2. Types of biopsy
Biopsies can be divided into the following common types based on different sampling methods:
| Biopsy type | Applicable parts | Features |
|---|---|---|
| needle biopsy | Breast gland, thyroid, liver, etc. | Sampling through fine needle or thick needle puncture, small trauma and quick recovery |
| endoscopic biopsy | Digestive tract, respiratory tract, bladder, etc. | Sampling guided by endoscope with high accuracy |
| surgical biopsy | Skin, lymph nodes, tumors, etc. | Surgery to remove part or all of the diseased tissue, often used for cancer diagnosis |
| liquid biopsy | blood | Detect tumor DNA or cells through blood, non-invasive and convenient |
3. Biopsy examination process
The biopsy process usually includes the following steps:
1.Preoperative preparation: The doctor will evaluate the patient's health and may require fasting or discontinuation of certain medications.
2.anesthesia: Depending on the type of biopsy, local or general anesthesia may be required.
3.sampling: A doctor uses a specific tool, such as a needle, endoscope, or scalpel, to obtain a tissue sample.
4.Postoperative treatment: The sample is sent to a laboratory for pathology examination, and the patient may need to be observed for a period of time to ensure there are no complications.
5.Result analysis: Pathologists analyze samples through microscopy or molecular testing techniques and issue a diagnostic report.
4. Precautions for biopsy
1.Preoperative communication: Patients should truthfully inform the doctor of their allergy history, medication usage, etc.
2.Postoperative care: Avoid strenuous exercise, pay attention to wound cleaning, and observe whether there is bleeding or infection.
3.Mental preparation: Biopsy results may take a long time, and patients need to be patient.
5. Recent hot topics: Progress in biopsy technology
Recently, discussions about biopsy technology have mainly focused on the following aspects:
| hot topics | Content overview |
|---|---|
| A breakthrough in liquid biopsy | Researchers have found that liquid biopsies have greater sensitivity in early cancer screening, particularly lung and breast cancer. |
| Artificial Intelligence Assisted Pathological Analysis | AI technology is used to speed up the analysis of biopsy samples and improve diagnostic accuracy. |
| Non-invasive biopsy technology | New imaging techniques, such as multiparametric MRI, attempt to reduce the need for traditional biopsies. |
6. Summary
Biopsy is an indispensable diagnostic tool in modern medicine, with various types and wide range of applications. As technology advances, the accuracy and convenience of biopsies continue to improve. Patients should fully understand the examination process and precautions before undergoing biopsy, and cooperate with the doctor to complete the diagnosis. Recent breakthroughs in liquid biopsy and AI technology have also brought more possibilities to the development of future biopsy.
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