Essential Insights into Biopsies: What You Need to Know - CancerMitr
Uncontrolled cell division often results in the formation of abnormal cell masses known as tumours. These can develop in any part of the body, including the brain. Tumours are categorized into two types: benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). While benign tumours are generally non-threatening, malignant tumours are aggressive and require urgent medical attention.
The detection of tumours typically involves a series of diagnostic methods, including physical examinations, blood tests for tumour markers, and imaging techniques such as ultrasound, PET CT, or MRI scans. However, determining whether a tumour is cancerous or non-cancerous necessitates a biopsy.
For a deeper understanding of biopsies and their critical role in cancer diagnosis, read this article.
What is a biopsy?
Biopsy is a word that is heard a lot, invoking emotions like fear or concern because it is associated with cancer.
A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the human body for examination, typically under a microscope, to diagnose diseases. This diagnostic tool is crucial in identifying various conditions, including cancer and certain inflammatory diseases. By analyzing the tissue sample, healthcare providers can determine the presence, cause, and severity of a disease, enabling them to formulate an effective treatment plan. Biopsies are essential for accurate diagnosis and personalized medical care, guiding critical healthcare decisions.
What are the different types of biopsies?
Depending on the location and size of the tumour, there are different types of biopsies.
Needle Biopsies
Needle biopsies are minimally invasive procedures where a needle is used to extract tissue or fluid samples from a suspicious area. There are two main types:
– Fine-needle aspiration (FNA): FNA uses a thin, hollow needle to collect small samples, which is often used when the suspicious area is easily accessible and superficial. It’s commonly used for thyroid nodules, lymph nodes, and breast lumps.
– Core needle biopsy: Core needle biopsy, on the other hand, employs a larger needle to remove a small cylinder of tissue. This method provides a more substantial sample for analysis, making it particularly useful for breast, prostate, and liver biopsies.
Both types can be performed with local anaesthesia and typically involve less discomfort and recovery time compared to surgical biopsies.
Surgical Biopsies
These are more invasive and involve making an incision to remove tissue. They can be excisional or incisional. An excisional biopsy aims to remove the entire lump or suspicious area, making it both a diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic procedure. This is often performed when the lump is small and easily accessible, and it can provide a complete diagnosis. An incisional biopsy, in contrast, involves removing only a portion of the abnormal tissue. This approach is used when the suspicious area is too large to be entirely removed or in locations where complete removal would be too risky. Both types require local or general anaesthesia, and they typically have a longer recovery period than needle biopsies.
Endoscopic Biopsies
They involve using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and tools, to collect tissue samples from inside the body. This type of biopsy is particularly useful for examining areas within the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, or urinary tract. During the procedure, the endoscope is inserted through a natural opening, such as the mouth or rectum, to reach the target area. Small instruments can be passed through the endoscope to take tissue samples. This method allows for direct visualization of the internal organs and targeted sampling, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing conditions like cancers, ulcers, and infections.
Skin Biopsy
It is performed to diagnose various skin conditions, including infections, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. There are several methods;
– Shave biopsy: A shave biopsy involves shaving off a thin layer from the top of a lesion, which is ideal for superficial abnormalities.
– Punch biopsy: A punch biopsy uses a circular blade to remove a small, cylindrical piece of skin, including deeper layers, and is typically used for conditions affecting deeper skin layers.
– Excisional biopsy: An excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion, often used when the lesion is suspected to be malignant.
Each type of skin biopsy is selected based on the depth and characteristics of the skin condition.
Bone Marrow Biopsies
They are critical for diagnosing blood disorders and cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. This procedure typically involves taking a sample from the posterior iliac crest of the hip bone. After administering local anaesthesia, a special needle is inserted into the bone to withdraw a sample of the bone marrow tissue. This biopsy provides detailed information about the cellular makeup of the bone marrow, helping to identify abnormalities in blood cell production and detect the presence of malignant cells. Despite being more invasive than some other biopsy types, it is essential for diagnosing and monitoring haematological diseases.
Liquid Biopsies
They are a relatively new, non-invasive method that analyzes blood or other bodily fluids to detect cancer cells or fragments of tumour DNA. This approach is particularly useful for monitoring cancer progression, detecting metastasis, and assessing treatment response. By examining circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) or circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the blood, liquid biopsies offer a way to obtain genetic information about tumours without needing a traditional tissue biopsy. This method is gaining popularity due to its ability to provide real-time insights into cancer dynamics and its potential to detect cancers at an early stage.
Image-Guided Biopsies
They use imaging technologies like ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to guide the biopsy needle to the precise location of the abnormal tissue. This technique is particularly valuable for sampling lesions that are difficult to reach or not palpable, such as those in the liver, lungs, or pancreas. By providing real-time imaging, this method increases the accuracy and safety of the biopsy, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring that a sufficient and representative sample is obtained. Image-guided biopsies are often performed under local anaesthesia and can be done on an outpatient basis.
Vacuum-Assisted Biopsies
They are commonly used for breast tissue sampling and involve a vacuum-powered instrument to collect multiple tissue samples during a single insertion of the needle. This technique allows for the removal of larger and more contiguous tissue samples compared to traditional core needle biopsies, which can improve diagnostic accuracy. The procedure is typically guided by imaging techniques such as ultrasound or mammography to ensure precise targeting of the suspicious area. Vacuum-assisted biopsies are less invasive than surgical biopsies and provide substantial tissue samples for thorough pathological examination.
Brush Biopsy
It is a less common method that uses a brush to collect cells from a particular area. This technique is often used during procedures like bronchoscopy, where a flexible scope is inserted into the airways. The brush is passed through the scope to the target area, and cells are scraped off and collected for analysis. Brush biopsies are typically used to sample cells from the lining of organs or ducts, such as the bronchi or bile ducts, and can help diagnose infections, inflammatory conditions, and cancers. The procedure is relatively simple and can be performed on an outpatient basis with minimal discomfort to the patient.
How is a biopsy done?
It depends on the type of tumour, it’s location and overall size. The process can take as long as a few minutes to a couple of hours. Prior to this procedure, the patient’s medical history is checked and consent is taken through writing.
Sometimes, imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be used to guide the biopsy. A local anesthetic is usually administered to numb the area where the biopsy will be taken. This minimizes discomfort during the procedure.
The tissue sample is collected (via surgery, needle or any other above-mentioned procedures). The tissue sample is collected using the appropriate method and placed in a sterile container.
After the procedure, patients are kept under observation to check if there are no immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection. Instructions will be given on how to care for the biopsy site. This may include keeping the area clean and dry and watching for signs of infection.
The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory where a pathologist examines it under a microscope. Special stains and techniques may be used to help identify abnormalities in the tissue cells. The results are typically available within a few days to a week.
What is the importance of a biopsy?
A biopsy is a crucial medical procedure involving the removal of a small tissue sample from the body for microscopic examination. Its importance spans several key areas, particularly in the accurate diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, where it helps distinguish between benign and malignant tissues. Biopsies are essential for staging cancer, guiding appropriate treatment plans, and predicting disease outcomes. They also identify infections and inflammatory conditions, enabling targeted treatments. Additionally, biopsies monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatments and detect disease recurrence. By revealing specific tissue characteristics, such as genetic mutations, biopsies aid in personalizing treatment plans. Furthermore, they contribute significantly to medical research and clinical trials, enhancing the development of new therapies and improving existing ones. Ultimately, biopsies provide vital information that improves patient diagnosis, treatment, and overall health outcomes.
In conclusion,
Accurate diagnosis of tumours involves various diagnostic methods and crucially depends on biopsies. It is also the source of relief and peace of mind for the patient because it confirms malignancy. Often times those tumours that may appear to be malignant, may just be another benign tumour. Similarly, there are benign tumours that can become malignant in the future, called precancerous tumours. The role of biopsies is vital, not only in identifying malignancies but also in guiding personalized treatment plans and monitoring treatment effectiveness.