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A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a small sample of tissue from a living subject to check under a microscope in order to determine the presence or extent of a cancer. Cancer can only be firmly ruled in or out by taking a tissue sample. Therefore, it is important for a biopsy to be taken prior to a diagnosis of cancer.

There are three kinds of biopsies: (i) incisional biopsy or core biopsy is when a sample of tissue is removed; (ii) a needle biopsy or fine-needle aspiration is when a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle and (iii) an excisional biopsy is when a whole tumor or lesion is removed.