What is a surgical biopsy and what is it used for?
A surgical biopsy for cancer is a medical procedure in which a surgeon removes a sample of tissue or an entire suspicious mass from the body for laboratory analysis. It is often used when less invasive biopsy methods, like needle biopsies, are inconclusive or not possible. The removed tissue is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine if cancer is present and, if so, to identify its type and stage.
A surgical biopsy may be used to:
- Detect or diagnose cancer (e.g., breast, skin, or lymph nodes)
- Investigate abnormal growths or masses.
- Evaluate conditions affecting organs or tissues, such as chronic inflammation or infections