Biopsy
During any procedure in which the body is physically examined, a biopsy may be taken by the doctor. A biopsy is a sample of tissue that is removed from the body of the subject.
This procedure can be performed in a number of different ways depending on the type of tissue, but in Crohn’s patients it is most often done during colonoscopy or a surgical procedure where an abnormality such as a polyp, fistula, lesion or diverticulitis exists.
Cell samples taken with a biopsy are analyzed in a lab and may be searched for the presence of disease, infection, bacteria, or cancer. The biopsy may be taken by extracting the cells with a needle or cutting them with a scalpel, razor or surgical blade.