Definition

A procedure in which all or part of a lymph node is removed and checked under a microscope for signs of infection or disease, such as cancer. There are several types of lymph node biopsies, including excisional biopsy (removal of entire lymph node), incisional biopsy (removal of part of a lymph node), core needle biopsy (removal of tissue from a lymph node using a wide needle), and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (removal of tissue from a lymph node using a thin needle).