14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before a Biopsy

A biopsy is a sample of tissue removed by your doctor to make a precise diagnosis. Biopsy procedures can range from a simple sampling of skin under local anesthesia to surgical opening of the chest wall to remove a portion of lung tissue. Biopsies may also be obtained during diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, and others. Sometimes doctors perform biopsies using a CAT scan or other radiological imaging techniques to help identify the exact area to be sampled and avoid injury to surrounding organs.

There are several types of biopsies:

• Excisional biopsy. If your doctor finds an area of interest or a suspicious finding (for example, an enlarged nevus, or mole), often an excisional biopsy is performed to remove the area in question in its entirety during the biopsy.
• Incisional biopsy. An incisional biopsy refers to removal of only a portion of the area of interest (for example, sampling of a small fragment of tissue from a larger breast lump).
• Fine needle biopsy. A fine needle biopsy is used to remove cells or fluid by suctioning through a long, thin needle.
• Core needle biopsy. During a core needle biopsy, the doctor inserts a special needle through a skin incision that removes a very thin, cylindrical piece of tissue.

The following questions can help guide your discussions with your doctor concerning a biopsy (print these and take them with you to your doctor's visit):

• What information do you hope to gain from the biopsy? What is the likelihood that the biopsy will establish a diagnosis?
• How is the biopsy done?
• Can the diagnosis be established by any alternative methods?
• Is the procedure painful? Is a local or general anesthesia involved?
• How safe is the biopsy procedure?
• Can the biopsy be performed in your office, or must the procedure be done in a hospital?
• How many samples will be removed?
• How large is the tissue fragment to be removed?
• How long will the procedure take? Can I go about my normal daily activities afterward?
• Will I have pain or scarring afterward?
• Who will interpret the biopsy?
• How long will I wait until a result is available?
• How will I be informed about the result of the biopsy?
• Are there any complications that might arise as a result of the biopsy procedure? If complications develop, what should I do or whom should I contact?