human
My doctor wants to take a biopsy of my skin. What does that mean?
assistant
A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the body and examined under a microscope for signs of disease or other abnormalities. It is often performed to diagnose cancer, but can also be used to diagnose other diseases such as sarcoidosis. The biopsy may be done by taking a small piece of tissue with a needle or scalpel, or by removing a larger amount of tissue with a punch or shave biopsy. After the sample has been taken, it will be sent to a lab for analysis.