BIOPSY
What is a biopsy?
A biopsy is a procedure where a small piece of tissue is removed from an area so that it can be looked at closely under a microscope. The biopsy may aim to remove an area completely (an excision biopsy). This is usually only appropriate for small lumps or swellings. Occasionally, only a small piece of an abnormal area is removed to confirm a diagnosis (an incisional biopsy).
How is it done?
In most cases biopsies are carried out under local anaesthesia (an injection into the area to numb it). The injection takes a couple of minutes to work and means that the biopsy will be painless. The biopsy usually leaves a small hole that often requires stitching. In the majority of cases the stitches used are dissolvable and take around two weeks to disappear.
Will there be much bleeding?
Although there may be a little bleeding at the time of biopsy this usually stops very quickly and is unlikely to be a problem if the wound is stitched. If the biopsy site bleed again when you get home, cold pressure pack helps. If the bleeding does not stop please contact the health care provider.