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BIOPSY
What is
Biopsy?
A biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample
of tissue is removed from the penis and looked
at under a microscope to detect any cancer
cells.
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Effects
of Biopsy
A biopsy is needed to make an accurate
diagnosis. If cancer of the penis is found, more
tests are done to find out if the cancer has
spread from the penis to other parts of the body
(staging).
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Candidates for Biopsy
A doctor should be seen if there are any of the
following problems: growths or sores on the
penis, any unusual liquid coming from the penis
(abnormal discharge), or bleeding.
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Your Consultation
Check
with your physician about stopping medications
that can predispose to bleeding, such as
aspirin, Coumadin, and nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Also
mention any herbal preparations you are taking.
Never change your medication regimen without
first checking with your physician.
The doctor will examine the penis and feel for
any lumps. A biopsy is needed if the penis does
not look normal or if the doctor feels any
lumps.
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The
Biopsy Procedure
The
type of biopsy depends on the nature of the
abnormality. If your doctor finds nodules
(swollen lumps) or plaques (raised, flat areas)
that are smaller than 1 cm (about 3/8 inch), the
entire lesion will be removed by excision
biopsy.
An
incision biopsy, in which only a portion of the
affected tissue is removed, will be performed on
lesions that are larger or ulcerated (a break in
the skin or it appears to have a sore) or that
appear to grow deeply into the tissue. These
biopsies are usually done in a doctor's office,
clinic, or outpatient (1 day) surgical center
with the patient under local anesthesia (numbing
medication). The tissue is then sent to a
laboratory, where a pathologist examines it
under a microscope.
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Recovery
Abnormal results from a biopsy may indicate the
presence of disease, such as cancer, depending
on the particular case.
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Risks
The
common risks to this procedure are bleeding and
infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who
examines the biopsy?
A:
A doctor specialist for examining tissues
samples under a microscope is called a
pathologist.
Q: Why is the test performed?
A:
A
biopsy may be performed to obtain healthy tissue
can be obtained for the purpose of tissue-type
matching for transplants. Unhealthy tissues are
more commonly biopsied to diagnose disease.
Q:
What happens during a biopsy?
A:
In this procedure, a small piece of the skin
tissue is cut out and sent to a laboratory.
There, a pathologist (a doctor specializing in
laboratory diagnosis of diseases) looks at the
tissue under a microscope to see whether cancer
cells are present.
Q: How
will the test feel?
A:
In a
needle biopsy, you will feel a small sharp pinch
at the site of the biopsy. In an open or closed
biopsy, local or general anesthesia is generally
used to make the procedure pain free.
Q:
When will I be able to get the results?
A:
The results are usually available within 1 to 2
days after the biopsy procedure.
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The following list of Urology procedures are
performed at Beverly Hills Medical Group -
please click the links to find out more:
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