Definition: A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.
There are two types of lung biopsies:
In a lung biopsy, a small piece of lung tissue is removed through a surgical incision in the chest. The abnormal results may indicate cancer, benign tumors, lung diseases, and certain lung infections.
When the abnormal condition is near the surface of the lung, in the tissues surrounding the lungs, or on the chest wall, a lung biopsy is performed using a biopsy needle. This is performed when a lung infection is suspected and no other tests have identified the cause of the infection.