Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues for examination. The tissue or fluid is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist. An incisional or core biopsy involves the removal of only a sample of tissue. An excisional biopsy involves the removal of an entire lump or suspicious area. A needle aspiration biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample or fluid using a needle.
Stories
Breast Biopsy
A lump was found on my left breast during my first mammogram at age 40. A sonogram confirmed the lump, and the doctor told me she wanted to do a biopsy, which I agreed to. The doctor used the sonogram to visualize the mass, and told me I would feel some pressure, then counted to 3 and I heard the loud snap. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
I went to the doctor because I was concerned about what looked like a blister on my chest that wouldn’t go away. The doctor looked at it but wasn’t concerned. But then he saw a dark freckle he didn’t like the look of. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
I had a suspicious looking mole on my thigh; the mole was particularly dark. The doctor looked at the mole and said it looked "interesting." He recommended doing a biopsy. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
The specialist saw and felt and an unusual condition in the front of my neck and gave me an ultrasound of the thyroid, which showed a nodule on the left side of my thyroid. He then advised that we do a thyroid nodule biopsy. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
During the exam the doctor felt a lump on my throat. He immediately did a needle biopsy, numbing the area before doing the biopsy. Read More
Bone Marrow Donation
The day before the procedure, I packed for the hospital, and attempted to compose a note to the recipient. I was allowed to send a card or letter, but not supposed to give my name or where I live or anything personally identifying. The next day, I took the note to the hospital with me to the 3rd Floor for Same Day Surgery, which was easy to find. Read More
Mouth Biopsy
I went to an oral surgeon who considered a diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune disease that causes blistering of the skin and the mucous membranes. To confirm that suspicion, he needed to do a biopsy. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
I went to the dermatologist for a full-body check. The doctor noticed a mole on my arm that appeared suspicious. Read More
Breast Biopsy
I had this procedure because I got a breast sonogram and a black area showed up. The doctor thought that it was a fibroid because the edges were even, but wanted to do a biopsy to get more information. Read More
Lymphoma Biopsy
Months prior to the biopsy, I experienced drenching night sweats, swollen lymph glands and extreme fatigue. After a number of inconclusive blood tests, my doctor decided to have an enlarged lymph node biopsied. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
I have a history of suspicious skin lesions. Most recently, I had a mole that looked suspicious so the doctor decided to biopsy it. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
A dermatologist examined a mole on my back and said it was irregular. He recommended removing it. Read More
Colposcopy
I had an irregular Pap smear and as a precaution, my ob-gyn wanted to make sure that the abnormal cells in my cervix were not pre-cancerous. Read More
Colposcopy
I had a colposcopy after having an abnormal Pap smear. During the procedure the doctor also biopsied my cervix. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
My doctor recommended a needle biopsy for my thyroid gland to check a suspicious area. He explained that the biopsy would help differentiate cancer from a benign mass. Read More
Cystoscopy
I had a bladder cystoscopy for diagnosis of hematuria, which is blood in the urine. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
I had nodules on my thyroid that needed to be biopsied via fine needle aspiration. Read More
Skin Biopsy/Mole Removal
I go to a dermatologist annually for a check-up on my moles and she was concerned about one on my back that had changed color. She recommended that I get it removed. Read More
Mouth Biopsy
My dentist had done a root canal and from the second day on my mouth started to blister. My dentist consulted with a past professor from dental school and then set up an appointment for the next day with an oral surgeon. Read More
Thyroid Biopsy
My primary care physician found a nodule on my thyroid during a routine visit. He recommended a thyroid biopsy. Read More
