Biopsy
The removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope.
What it means
A biopsy is the removal of tissue so that it can be examined under a microscope. From the Greek bios, life, and opsis, sight — looking at living tissue.
Common forms:
- Punch biopsy — a small circular core of skin taken under local anaesthetic
- Needle biopsy — tissue drawn through a needle, often guided by ultrasound or CT
- Excisional biopsy — removal of an entire lump
- Endoscopic biopsy — samples taken through a camera, as in the bowel or stomach
Scans suggest; biopsies confirm. For most cancers, no diagnosis is considered definitive until tissue has been examined.
In practice
The result is a histology report, usually available within one to two weeks.
"Fine needle aspiration" collects cells rather than a tissue architecture, and is a cytology test rather than a true biopsy.
Why it matters
Being offered a biopsy does not mean cancer has been found. Most biopsies of most lumps return benign results, and the test is done precisely because appearance alone cannot settle the question.
A long-standing myth holds that biopsying a cancer causes it to spread. This is not supported by evidence, and declining a biopsy delays diagnosis, which does cause harm.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan, GMC 7563469
Last reviewed
August 30, 2026