Cervical biopsy
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Cervical biopsy
A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the cervix so the tissue can be examined under a microscope. A cervical biopsy is usually done to investigate areas of abnormal tissue found during a Pap test or colposcopy.
The amount of cervical tissue removed depends on the method used:
- A simple cervical biopsy, sometimes called a punch biopsy, removes a small piece of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
- An endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) removes tissue from high in the cervical canal by scraping with a sharp instrument.
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out abnormal tissue.
- A cone biopsy (conization) is a more extensive form of a cervical biopsy that removes a cone-shaped wedge of tissue from the cervix.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | December 13, 2007 |
| Last updated: | December 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer |
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