A biopsy is not a tumor. A biopsy is a procedure used to take a sample of tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. This is often done to determine if a lump or other suspicious area is cancerous.
Biopsies are essential for diagnosing and staging cancer, as well as for monitoring the effectiveness of cancer treatment. They can also be used to diagnose other conditions, such as infections and inflammatory diseases.
Examples of biopsy types:
- Fine-needle aspiration (FNA): A thin needle is used to remove cells from a lump or mass.
- Core needle biopsy: A thicker needle is used to remove a small core of tissue.
- Surgical biopsy: A surgeon makes an incision to remove a larger sample of tissue.
In short, a biopsy is a diagnostic tool used to analyze tissue samples, not a tumor itself.
