Synopsis
Select and sequence safe cancer tissue acquisition, preserve material for morphology and biomarkers, interpret an integrated pathology report, and manage inadequate or discordant results through multidisciplinary review.
- Obtain tissue only when the result will change diagnosis or management and the route does not compromise later surgery, staging or safety.
- The preferred biopsy is lesion- and pathway-specific: cytology, core biopsy, endoscopic sampling, marrow sampling or excision answer different questions.
- Exclude procedure-specific hazards such as phaeochromocytoma, coagulopathy, vascular lesion and unsafe anatomical access before sampling.
Investigation priorities
Obtain architecture and material for immunohistochemistry and molecular testing.
Management branches
Imaging suggests malignancy and tissue confirmation will change care.
- Review differential, staging imaging, accessible lesions, coagulation, medicines and tumour-specific hazards with the responsible team.
- Select the least harmful route that provides enough tissue for morphology and mandatory biomarkers without compromising definitive surgery.