procedures

Biopsy

生検 (seiken)

A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue from the body for laboratory examination under a microscope. It is the definitive method for diagnosing cancer and many other conditions. Biopsies can be taken from skin, lymph nodes, organs (liver, kidney), or tissues detected on imaging. Results typically take several days to weeks to process in Japanese pathology laboratories.

Biopsy results in Japan are reported at a scheduled follow-up appointment; ask for the written pathology report (病理検査結果, byōri kensa kekka) for your records.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Biopsy
Japanese (日本語)	生検
Chinese (中文)	活检
Korean (한국어)	생검
Portuguese	Biópsia
Spanish	Biopsia
Filipino	Biyopsi
Thai	การตรวจชิ้นเนื้อ
Vietnamese	Sinh thiết
Romanization	seiken

Related terms

• Skin 皮膚
• Lymph Node リンパ節
• Oncology 腫瘍科
• Endoscopy (Gastroscopy) 胃カメラ
• Colonoscopy 大腸内視鏡

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