Biopsy in Grand Rapids, Michigan: What You Need to Know

A biopsy is a medical procedure where a small sample of tissue is taken from your body so doctors can examine it under a microscope. This helps diagnose many conditions, especially cancer, and guides your treatment plan.

In Grand Rapids, MI, biopsies are commonly performed at major healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as in many outpatient clinics and specialty centers.

What Is a Biopsy?

During a biopsy, a doctor removes a small piece of tissue from an area of concern—such as a lump, organ, or skin lesion. The sample is:

  1. Placed in a preservative
  2. Sent to a pathology laboratory (often on-site at hospitals in Grand Rapids)
  3. Set in wax and sliced into very thin sections
  4. Mounted on a glass slide and stained with special dyes

A pathologist examines the slides under a microscope to look for abnormal cells, infection, inflammation, or other disease. Most standard biopsy results in West Michigan are available within 24–48 hours, although some specialized tests can take longer.

Frozen Section Biopsy During Surgery

Sometimes, during surgery at hospitals such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids, the surgeon may request a frozen section:

  • A portion of tissue is quickly frozen, cut, stained, and examined
  • Results are often ready within 10–15 minutes
  • This helps the surgeon decide what to do while you are still in the operating room (for example, whether more tissue needs to be removed)

Why Biopsies Are Especially Important for Cancer Diagnosis

Biopsies are a key tool in the diagnosis of cancer. Your Grand Rapids provider may recommend a biopsy if you have:

  • A lump or mass (for example, in the breast, neck, or abdomen)
  • A cyst or swelling without a clear cause
  • An abnormal imaging result (such as a mammogram, CT scan, or ultrasound)
  • An abnormal Pap test or suspicious skin lesion

In many cases, a biopsy is the only way to make a definite diagnosis and determine whether cells are benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Before Your Biopsy: What to Discuss With Your Grand Rapids Provider

Before the procedure, your doctor or surgeon will review:

  • Your medical history
  • All medications and supplements, including:
    • Prescription drugs (such as blood thinners)
    • Over-the-counter medicines (like ibuprofen or aspirin)
    • Herbal products
    • Vitamins and mineral supplements

Some medicines and supplements can increase bleeding risk or interact with anesthesia and may need to be stopped temporarily.

Depending on your situation, your provider may also order:

  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound, CT, MRI, or mammogram
  • Other imaging to help guide the biopsy

These tests are commonly done at imaging centers and hospital systems across Kent County, including in downtown Grand Rapids and surrounding suburbs.

Common Types of Biopsy Used in Grand Rapids

Different biopsy techniques are used depending on where the abnormal tissue is located.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

  • A small sample of bone marrow (usually from the back of the hip bone) is removed with a slender needle
  • Often used to diagnose blood disorders such as leukemia or lymphoma
  • Typically done under local anesthesia, sometimes with mild sedation

Colposcopy-Directed Biopsy

  • Performed when a woman has an abnormal Pap test
  • A colposcope (a special microscope) is used to examine the cervix
  • Small tissue samples are taken from any abnormal areas
  • Commonly performed in gynecology offices and women’s health clinics in Grand Rapids

Endoscopic Biopsy

  • An endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) is passed through the mouth, nose, anus, or a small skin incision
  • Cutting tools are passed through the endoscope to collect tissue
  • Used to biopsy areas such as the esophagus, stomach, colon, lungs, or bladder
  • Often performed in hospital endoscopy suites and GI centers in Grand Rapids

Excisional Biopsy

  • The entire lump or abnormal area is removed
  • May require local or general anesthesia, depending on location and size
  • Commonly used for:
    • Certain breast lumps
    • Some skin lesions or lymph nodes

Incisional Biopsy

  • Only a portion of a larger lump or mass is removed
  • May be done under local or general anesthesia
  • Often used for masses in muscle or connective tissue

Needle Biopsy

  • A small sample is removed using a slender needle (fine-needle aspiration or core needle)
  • May be done with or without local anesthesia
  • Often used to evaluate:
    • Liver
    • Thyroid
    • Lymph nodes
    • Some breast and soft-tissue lesions

Punch Biopsy (Skin Biopsy)

  • A special tool is used to “punch” a small, circular piece of skin through the top layers
  • Usually done with local or topical anesthetic
  • Helps diagnose:
    • Rashes
    • Moles or suspicious skin lesions
    • Chronic skin conditions (common in Michigan’s dry, cold winters)

Stereotactic (Image-Guided) Biopsy

  • Uses mammography, CT, or other imaging to guide a needle to a hard-to-see or hard-to-feel area
  • Commonly used for:
    • Breast abnormalities seen on mammogram
    • Deep tissue lesions in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis
  • Performed in specialized imaging centers and breast clinics in Grand Rapids

Anesthesia for Biopsies

The type of anesthesia used depends on the procedure:

  • Local anesthesia: Numbs only the biopsy area (common for skin, needle, and small excisional biopsies)
  • Topical anesthesia: Numbing cream or spray applied to the skin
  • Sedation: Medicine to help you relax or sleep during the procedure
  • General anesthesia: You are fully asleep; used for more complex or surgical biopsies

Your Grand Rapids provider will explain which option is safest and most appropriate for you.

Right After Your Biopsy: What to Expect

How you feel afterward depends on the type of biopsy and where it was done. In general, you can expect:

  • Mild to moderate pain or soreness at the biopsy site for a few days
  • Possible bruising or swelling
  • A small bandage or dressing over the area

At hospitals and clinics in Grand Rapids:

  • Nurses will monitor you for several hours after the procedure
  • The biopsy site will be checked for bleeding
  • You may have a blood test to ensure there is no internal bleeding
  • Additional tests (like a chest x-ray) may be done after certain biopsies, such as a lung biopsy

Because sedation or anesthesia can make you drowsy:

  • Do not drive yourself home
  • Arrange for a family member, friend, or taxi/rideshare to take you home

Your doctor will prescribe or recommend pain-relieving medication if needed.

Possible Complications of a Biopsy

Most biopsies performed in Grand Rapids are safe and routine, but like any medical procedure, there are risks. These may include:

  • Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)
  • Infection at the biopsy site
  • Puncture damage to nearby tissues or organs (rare)
  • Skin numbness or altered sensation around the biopsy site

Contact your doctor or seek urgent care right away if you notice:

  • Increasing or severe pain
  • Redness, warmth, or swelling that is getting worse
  • Pus or fluid leaking from the wound
  • Fever or chills
  • Heavy or persistent bleeding

If you are unsure, you can also contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health resources for guidance on where to seek immediate care.

Taking Care of Yourself at Home in Grand Rapids

Follow the specific instructions from your surgeon or clinic, but general tips include:

  • Rest for the next 1–2 days
  • Limit use of the affected body part if possible
    • For example, if the biopsy was on your arm or leg, try to:
      • Keep it elevated
      • Avoid heavy use for a day or two
  • Avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting until your doctor says it is safe

Wound and Dressing Care

  • Keep the wound and dressing clean and dry for about 7–10 days, or as directed
  • If possible, keep the area out of the direct stream of the shower, or cover it with plastic wrap
  • A sponge bath may be easier for the first few days
  • Dressings are usually removed after one week to 10 days, either at home or at a follow-up visit

Seasonal note for Grand Rapids:
In winter, bulky clothing and dry skin can irritate biopsy sites. Keep the area protected, moisturize surrounding (not open) skin, and avoid tight clothing over fresh wounds.

Getting Your Biopsy Results in Grand Rapids

  • Standard biopsy results are usually available within 24–48 hours
  • Frozen section results during surgery may be ready in 10–15 minutes
  • Some specialized tests (such as genetic or molecular studies) can take longer

You may need a follow-up appointment with your doctor to:

  • Review the biopsy report
  • Discuss whether the findings are benign, precancerous, or cancerous
  • Plan any additional tests or treatments

Treatment After a Biopsy

Treatment depends entirely on the diagnosis. Possible next steps include:

  • No further treatment if the biopsy is normal or benign
  • Monitoring with repeat imaging or exams
  • Medication for infections or inflammatory conditions
  • Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy for cancer
  • Referral to specialists in Grand Rapids, such as:
    • Oncologists (cancer specialists)
    • Dermatologists
    • Gastroenterologists
    • Hematologists

Your care team will help coordinate these services within local systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health, depending on where you receive care.

Other Diagnostic Tests Used Along With Biopsy

Although a biopsy is often the most accurate way to diagnose many conditions, your provider may also use:

  • Blood tests (for example, to evaluate liver function or blood cell counts)
  • Imaging scans, such as:
    • Mammogram (for breast conditions)
    • Ultrasound
    • CT or MRI scans
  • Urine tests or other lab studies

These tests provide additional information but usually cannot replace a biopsy when your doctor needs to look directly at the cells.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you have questions about a biopsy or need a referral:

  • Talk to your primary care doctor or specialist
  • Contact local health systems:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health locations in West Michigan
  • Reach out to:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health resources for guidance on clinics and screening programs

Key Points About Biopsy in Grand Rapids

  • A biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample to examine under a microscope.
  • It is especially important for diagnosing cancer and many other conditions.
  • Abnormal cells can be identified, and treatment decisions are based on these results.
  • Most biopsy results from Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics are available within 24–48 hours.
  • Treatment depends on the diagnosis, and your local care team will guide you through the next steps.