It’s Biopsy, Not Autopsy

In ignorant bliss, I assumed a biopsy was no big deal. I’d heard the term “needle bi-
opsy.” It sounded pretty much like getting a shot. Wrong! In fact, a biopsy is a surgical
procedure in which tissue is removed and examined by a pathologist. In addition to
the fine needle aspiration discussed earlier (which can be and sometimes is biopsied)
there are two kinds of biopsies: core needle and surgical.

From the Book
Microcalcification refers to tiny calcium deposits. Scattered deposits are likely benign. A
tight cluster often indicates malignancy. A biopsy is the removal of tissue to be examined
for malignancy. A pathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in analyzing tissue to
determine the presence of disease. A radiological technologist is someone who spe-
cializes in the use of x-ray equipment. A core needle biopsy uses a large needle to take
out a core of tissue for examination and is either stereotactic guided (using x-rays from
two directions to guide the needle) or ultrasound guided (using sound waves to guide
the needle).