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Biopsy - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Biopsy : (noun)
1: examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to
determine the existence or cause of a disease
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Biopsy : Biopsy: The removal of a sample of tissue for purposes of diagnosis. (Many definitions of "biopsy" stipulate that the sample of tissue is removed for examination under a microscope. This may
or may not be the case. The diagnosis may be achieved by other means such as by analysis of chromosomes or genes.)
A biopsy may be done, for example, because of concern about cancer . The physical exam, imaging, endoscopy, and laboratory tests may indicate that something is abnormal, but a biopsy may be the
only sure way to know whether the problem is, in fact, cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue from the abnormal area or may remove the whole tumor. A specialist trained to examine
such tissues is called a pathologist. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope. If cancer is present, the pathologist can usually tell what kind of cancer it is and may be able to judge
whether the cells are likely to grow slowly or quickly.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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