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Biopsy

A biopsy is a sample of tissue collected from an organ or other part of the body. A biopsy can be done by cutting or scraping a small piece of the tissue or by using a needle and syringe to remove a sample, which is then examined for abnormalities, such as cancer, by a doctor trained to look at tissue samples (pathologist).

Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Maria Essig
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Last Updated March 10, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 10, 2009
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