The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Biopsy

Biopsy is a medical term that involves the removal of tissues or specimens for examination. The tissue is then analyzed either by examination or chemically, for abnormalities. There are several different methods of taking biopsies, including incisional or core biopsy, excisional biopsy, and needle aspiration biopsy. Incisional biopsy, or core biopsy is when doctors remove only a small sample of tissue to examine. Excisional biopsy typically removes an entire area of suspicious tissue, or an irregular lump. Needle aspiration biopsy is the least invasive form of biopsy, and involves taking a sample of tissue or fluid through a small needle. Biopsies can determine not only if a specimen is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), they can also help doctors to determine what kind of cancer a patient may have, and what stage the cancer may be in. Additionally, the margins of biopsy specimens can help doctors to determine if the cancer has spread into other regions of the body outside the malignant tumor mass. The edges of the biopsy specimen are examined, and “clear” or “negative” margins identifies that the cancer is contained within the tumor mass. “Positive” margins means that the disease has spread outside the tumor and additional treatments will likely be needed. .