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By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor may suggest a needle biopsy to help diagnose a medical condition or to rule out a disease or condition. A needle biopsy may also be used to assess the progress of a treatment.
The sample from your needle biopsy may help your doctor determine what's causing:
- A mass or lump. A needle biopsy may reveal whether a mass or lump is a cyst, an infection, a benign tumor or cancer.
- An infection. Analysis from a needle biopsy can help doctors determine what germs are causing an infection so that the most effective medications can be used.
- Inflammation. Looking closely at a needle biopsy sample may reveal what's causing inflammation and what types of cells are involved.
You may also undergo imaging tests, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or an ultrasound, before your needle biopsy. Sometimes these tests are also used during the needle biopsy procedure to more accurately locate the area to be biopsied.
- Biopsy - What to expect. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Features/Treatments%2C+Tests%2C+and+Procedures/Biopsy%26mdash%3BWhat+to+Expect. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Warner WC. Neuromuscular disorders. In: Canale TS, et al. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203316557-3/0/1584/0.html. Accessed May 28, 2010.
- Gogna A, et al. Image-guided musculoskeletal biopsy. Radiologic Clinics of North America. 2008;46:455.
- Bravo A, et al. Percutaneous liver biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Minai OA, et al. Transbronchial needle aspiration. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Whittier WL, et al. Indications for and complications of renal biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Things you should know before surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/ArticlePage.aspx?ID=38a06e24-c3a2-451b-b487-af08792e2110&LandingID=29d0791e-005b-40dd-be33-05b988b17619. Accessed May 28, 2010.
- Esserman LJ, et al. Breast biopsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Testing biopsy and cytology specimens for cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Testing_Biopsy_and_Cytology_Specimens_for_Cancer.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed May 28, 2010.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 13, 2010.
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