Cervical biopsy

A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of the cervix so the tissue can be examined under a microscope. A cervical biopsy is usually done to investigate areas of abnormal tissue found during a Pap test or colposcopy.

The amount of cervical tissue removed depends on the method used:

• A simple cervical biopsy, sometimes called a punch biopsy, removes a small piece of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
• An endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) removes tissue from high in the cervical canal by scraping with a sharp instrument.
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) uses a thin, low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out abnormal tissue.
• A cone biopsy (conization) is a more extensive form of a cervical biopsy that removes a cone-shaped wedge of tissue from the cervix.