In a biopsy, a healthcare provider removes samples of a patient’s tissue, cells or fluids so a pathologist can examine them for signs of disease. Biopsies can be used to investigate the cause of a person’s symptoms or to help diagnose a number of different health conditions. Where a condition has already been diagnosed, a biopsy can be used to measure how severe it is or at what stage it is.

The results from a biopsy help healthcare providers diagnose a problem and plan the best treatment option accordingly.