Overview
Sometimes a mass needs to be removed to see if cancer is present. This is called an excisional biopsy. While the patient is awake and pain-free (using local anesthesia) or asleep and pain-free (using general anesthesia), an incision is made over the lump. The length and position of the incision will depend on the size and location of the lump that needs to be removed. After the lump is removed in one piece, it is sent to the pathologist for a microscopic exam. The final report usually is done several days later.
Review Date 2/2/2023
Updated by: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 06/05/2023.