Gewebeerhebungen

Gewebeerhebungen are the medical procedures of obtaining tissue samples from a living organism for diagnostic, research, or therapeutic purposes. In clinical practice, they most commonly refer to biopsies, which can be performed using several techniques, such as fine‑needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, excisional or incisional biopsy, and surgical biopsy. The choice of method depends on the suspected condition, the organ involved, and the need for quantity and quality of tissue.

During a fine‑needle aspiration, a thin needle extracts a small amount of cells, often used for lymph nodes or breast lesions. Core needle biopsies employ a larger needle to retrieve a cylindrical core of tissue, providing histological architecture. Excisional biopsies remove an entire lesion or a representative portion, while incisional biopsies remove part of a large mass. Surgical biopsies may involve open or laparoscopic approaches for larger or inaccessible tissues.

Gewebeerhebungen are central to the diagnosis of cancers, inflammatory diseases, and infectious agents. Pathological examination of the sample determines cellular morphology, immunohistochemistry markers, and genetic alterations. Accurate reporting requires proper sample handling, fixation, and transport to the pathology laboratory. Risks generally include bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding structures, and are mitigated by sterile technique and imaging guidance.

In research, tissue samples enable molecular studies, organoid culture, and development of personalized medicine strategies. Ethical considerations require informed consent and adherence to institutional review board protocols. The term is used in German-speaking medical literature and forms part of standard clinical workflows across oncology, rheumatology, and surgery.