Find out the Causes of Body Abnormalities with Biopsy

Biopsy is a medical procedure that is used to detect abnormalities in body tissue using a microscope. This procedure is performed by doctors to find out the shape of body tissues and diagnose certain diseases, such as cancer. To find out the cause of a disease, doctors can take samples of body tissue, such as skin, organs, or lumps in certain body parts. The sample is taken to the laboratory and then examined under a microscope, the point is to determine the condition of the abnormality specifically. With this technique, the doctor can determine a definitive diagnosis and can recommend the right type of treatment. The doctor who performs a biopsy is a specialist in pathology anatomy.

Abnormalities Requiring Biopsy

One of the abnormalities in the body that can be detected by biopsy is a lump suspected as a tumor, such as a lump in the breast and Kaposi's sarcoma. Biopsy can detect whether the lump is cancerous or caused by something else. Other medical conditions that can also be diagnosed by biopsy include:

• Some types of skin problems, such as changes in the shape of moles.
• Infection of the lymph nodes.
• Kidney or liver inflammation.

In addition to detecting a particular medical condition, a biopsy can also be used to determine the severity of a disease that has been detected, for example, the degree of cancer malignancy.

Types of Biopsy

There are various types of biopsies that doctors can do to take tissue samples on the body, adjusted for the location of body tissue to be taken as a sample and the type of tissue. Before a biopsy is performed, the doctor needs to do a physical examination and supporting examination, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to detect the location and type of tissue affected by the disease, so that the right choice of biopsy type can be determined. The following types:

1. Needle biopsy

One biopsy technique that is mostly done is taking abnormal body tissue with a needle. If the doctor takes a tissue sample that is below the surface of the skin, the type of needle biopsy used is a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. If the sample is large, the doctor will use a Core Needle Biopsy (CNB) technique. CT scan or ultrasound is often used as a tool to help doctors direct the needle to the right location. You may feel a small pinch in the biopsy location. However, if undergoing CNB, usually the patient will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area.

2. Punch biopsy

A special surgical instrument is used by the doctor to make a small incision in the skin and take a sample of the top layer of skin tissue. Usually, the doctor will give a local anesthetic to numb the area. After the process is complete, the incision will be closed with stitches. This technique is commonly used to detect various types of skin problems.

3. Excisional biopsy

This technique is used to remove large areas of tissue, such as abnormal lumps. The patient will be given anesthesia (anesthesia) to avoid pain, and the type of anesthesia is adjusted to the location of the tissue to be removed.

4. Endoscopic biopsy

A thin flexible hose equipped with lights and a camera is inserted into the body. This tool is also equipped with a cutting tool at the end of the hose, in order to make it easier for doctors to take tissue samples. Apart from a small incision in the skin, a tube can be inserted through the nose, mouth, or anus, depending on the location to be examined. This type of biopsy is usually done at the time of endoscopic examination.

5. Surgical biopsy

This is a biopsy performed in the surgery process. Usually this method is used so that the results can be known immediately, even when the doctor is still in the process of surgery, so that further therapy can be immediately determined. Abnormal lumps that are found during surgery can usually be removed immediately. Surgical biopsy can also be done when other biopsy methods are difficult to reach the area to be examined. Risks that can occur due to surgical biopsy procedures are bleeding or infection.

6. Bone marrow biopsy

Bone marrow biopsy is done by taking a sample of bone marrow tissue using a needle. Before the injection, the doctor will give a local anesthetic to help reduce pain. This type of biopsy is done to determine the cause of disorders of the blood, such as anemia, lymphoma, and leukemia, or to monitor the body's response to chemotherapy. Before undergoing a biopsy, it is recommended that you tell your doctor about the drugs that are being taken, especially those that can cause bleeding, such as warfarin, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Similarly, herbal medicines and supplements. After the procedure is finished, most patients do not need to stay in the hospital. Even so, if you undergo an internal organ biopsy using general anesthesia, you are required to stay in the hospital for at least one night, in order to restore the condition from anesthesia. Biopsy results can be known after a few days. There are also those that can be immediately known when the procedure is done, but the diagnosis is only temporary. The most accurate results can take up to weeks because it takes a long time to examine the sample. Discuss with your doctor about the biopsy report received and the follow-up.