Biopsied Sites
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Bone marrow biopsy | Since blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, a bone marrow biopsy is employed in the diagnosis of abnormalities of blood cells when the diagnosis cannot be made from the peripheral blood alone. In malignancies of blood cells (leukemia and lymphoma) a bone marrow biopsy is used in staging the disease. The procedure involves taking a core of trabecular bone using a trephine, and then aspirating material. |
| Gastrointestinal tract | Flexible endoscopy enables access to the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, such that biopsy of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum via the mouth and the rectum, colon and terminal ileum are commonplace. A variety of biopsy instruments may be introduced through the endoscope and the visualized site biopsied. Until recently, the majority of the small intestine could not be visualized for biopsy. The double-balloon “push-pull” technique allows visualization and biopsy of the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Needle core biopsies or aspirates of the pancreas may be made through the duodenum or stomach. |
| Lung biopsy | Biopsies of the lung can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the location. |
| Liver biopsy | In hepatitis, most biopsies are not used for diagnosis, which can be made by other means. Rather, it is used to determine response to therapy which can be assessed by reduction of inflammation and progression of disease by the degree of fibrosis or, ultimately, cirrhosis.
In Wilson's disease, the biopsy is used to determine the quantitative copper level. |
| Prostate biopsy | Forms include transrectal biopsy and transurethral biopsy |
| Nervous system biopsy | Forms include brain biopsy, nerve biopsy, and meningeal biopsy |
| Urogenital biopsies | Forms include renal biopsy, endometrial biopsy and cervical conization |
| Other | Other sites include breast biopsy, lymph node biopsy, muscle biopsy, and skin biopsy |
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