WHAT IS BIOPSY AND WHEN ITS NEEDED TO DO

 WHAT IS BIOPSY

A biopsy is a medical examination performed to find cancer cells in a suspicious place. A radiologist or surgeon usually performs the procedure. A biopsy is one of the many advanced tests that confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

Pakistanis are at high risk of cancer. According to the Cancer Index, 11.8% of Pakistanis are at risk of developing cancer before the age of 75.

In this article, we will take a look at the complete biopsy process and what you can expect if you are under one.

Why a biopsy is needed?

A biopsy is needed when the doctor suspects a cancer-like condition of the patient and wants to confirm it. When a patient develops other symptoms of the condition, the biopsy actually gives final confirmation.

Matching techniques such as X-ray and ultrasound can only show weight at a physical site. They do not tell the exact type of weight cells. Not all people have cancer, but there is a good chance that the majority will be fine. Therefore, the mass cannot be ignored and a biopsy is performed.

During a biopsy, the doctor removes a small sample of tissue or cells and analyzes the sample in a laboratory. With a small number of cells from the tumor, a doctor can perform a test for the presence of cancer cells in the whole mass.

Types of biopsies

Depending on the medical condition that needs to be diagnosed, there are different types of biopsies.

1. Bone Marrow Biopsy

Bone marrow is a solid material with large bones. During a bone marrow test, the doctor removes a small amount of bone marrow through a large syringe. Bone marrow is usually removed from the pelvis. It is a painful procedure and the patient may need to be put under anesthesia.

Bone marrow biopsy is often used to diagnose blood-related disorders. These problems can lead to cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma. It is also possible that they do not have cancer as an unexplained anemia. The doctor may also perform a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose cancer that begins elsewhere but extends to the bone marrow.

2. Endoscopic biopsy

For endoscopic biopsy, the doctor uses a shiny tube with a small incision. Depending on the location of the examination, the tube may be inserted into a patient's rectum, urinary tract, mouth, or skin. A tube with a headlight is then used to view the patient's interior. The tube also has small tools that can extract a small sample from the affected site for later analysis.

Endoscopic biopsy is usually performed with the patient under anesthesia. An endoscopic biopsy can be performed to find tissue samples inside the bladder, colon or lungs.

3. Needle biopsy

During the needle test, the doctor takes a sample of the cells with a needle from the affected site. Needle biopsies usually identify tissue that looks like breast lumps and swollen lymph nodes.

Biopsy is an important medical examination. It can be painful in some cases, but it is necessary regardless. You should prepare yourself before going for a biopsy. You should make sure that you ask your doctor all the right questions before and after the procedure.