biopsie

Biopsie is a medical procedure that involves removing a small sample of living tissue for examination under a microscope or with other tests. The aim is to establish or refine a diagnosis, determine the aggressiveness of a disease, or guide treatment. The term derives from Greek roots bios (life) and opsis (seeing).

Biopsies can be taken from nearly any organ or tissue. Common methods include needle biopsy (fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy), incisional biopsy (a piece of a lesion), and excisional biopsy (the entire lesion removed). Dermatologic biopsy uses punch, shave, or excisional techniques. Endoscopic biopsies are taken during procedures such as colonoscopy or bronchoscopy. Imaging-guided biopsies use ultrasound, CT, or MRI to target a lesion.

Procedure and processing: Biopsies are usually performed under local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation. After removal, the tissue is sent to pathology for histological examination, cytology, and often immunohistochemistry or molecular tests if needed. The result can confirm cancer, infection, inflammatory disease, or other pathology. Adequacy and representativeness of the sample are crucial, and sometimes additional samples are required if the initial specimen is nondiagnostic.

Risks and limitations: Common risks include bleeding, infection, and pain. Rare complications depend on the site, such as organ injury. Limitations include sampling error and nondiagnostic results, which may necessitate a repeat biopsy or alternate testing.

Applications: Biopsies inform cancer diagnosis and staging, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and transplant monitoring, among others. They remain a cornerstone of pathology-driven decision-making while balancing diagnostic yield with invasiveness and patient safety.