With incisional biopsy, only part of the tumor is removed. This procedure is only done when a tumor is too large to be removed with an excisional biopsy. Today, few people have an incisional biopsy.

The procedure

An incisional biopsy is similar to an excisional biopsy, but less tissue is removed. The surgeon uses a local anesthetic to numb the area and you will get IV sedation rather than general anesthesia. You probably won’t need to stay overnight in the hospital.

Since incisional biopsy only removes part of the tumor (rather than all of it, as with excisional biopsy), more surgery will be needed to remove the remaining cancer.

Updated 10/20/11