• Overview

Or call us on

01865 307777

A biopsy is a procedure to remove and examine a sample of tissue from a lump or suspicious area of the body.

What happens during fine needle biopsy?

A local anaesthetic is injected first to numb the area. If the lump is near the surface of your body and can easily be felt, the doctor will probably just feel it to guide the needle in. If the lump is deep within the body (such as in the abdomen) or is harder to feel, the doctor will use an ultrasound scan or sometimes a CT scan to see where the needle is going and guide it into the right place. A fine needle is put into the lump to take a sample of cells. Several samples may be taken.

When the cells are looked at under a microscope, the pathologist will be able to tell whether they are benign (not cancerous) or cancerous cells.

If the lump is a sarcoma (a rare form of cancer), further tests may be done on the sample to try to find out exactly what type of sarcoma it is. Sometimes, particularly with children, the biopsy is done under a general anaesthetic.

For most people a needle biopsy will show whether the lump is a sarcoma. Sometimes, not enough cells are collected to give a clear answer, and then a surgical biopsy is needed.


Oxford, The Manor Hospital

Beech Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7RP

01865 307777

Please note, there is only limited parking available at our hospital. Our car park is now managed by EURO CARPARKS. Patients and visitors are required to input their car registration in to the panels located in the main reception areas to avoid a fine. Parking T&Cs are detailed on signs in the car park.

Reception and all general enquiries 01865 307777
New treatment enquiries 01865 307750
Diagnostic Imaging (appointments and enquiries) 01865 307 437
Nurses' Station (for inpatients only) 01865 307 579
Physiotherapy (appointments only) 0333 305 7905
Physiotherapy (enquiries) 01865 307 533
Accounts 01865 987 653

Ways to pay

Nuffield Health promise

Our prices are all-inclusive. We will equal any comparable price. There are no time limits on your aftercare.

Paying for yourself

There are no hidden costs in our treatment prices. The price you see is the price you pay.

Find out more

Personal medical loan

Spread the cost of your treatment with a 6, 10 or 12 month 0% personal medical loan.

Find out more

Medical insurance

We work with you and your insurance provider to get you the treatment you need quickly

Find out more