What should you know about stereotactic guided biopsy?

Images are used to map the target in three dimensions and account for nearby blood vessels, organs or sensitive tissue. The planned coordinates guide a needle or other sampling tool. The exact technique varies by site: a frame, mask, grid or other positioning aid may be used, and the procedure may take place with local anaesthetic or sedation.

The tissue is reviewed by pathology. The report can identify the type of cells and features that help separate one tumour from another. If needed, the laboratory may add [Immunohistochemistry](/technology/immunohistochemistry/) or [Genomic Tumour Profiling](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/genomic-tumour-profiling/). A guided biopsy is a diagnostic procedure, not a treatment for the target.

Share your full medical history, implanted devices, allergies and all medicines. Do not stop a blood thinner unless the biopsy team gives a specific plan. Ask about fasting, transport and whether someone should stay with you after sedation.

Follow wound-care and activity instructions after sampling. Keep the result appointment even if the area feels well, because the findings may need explanation alongside imaging. The [Biopsy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/biopsy/) page covers general sampling, and an [MRI Scan](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/mri-scan/) can be part of target definition or follow-up.

Call for urgent advice if the dressing becomes soaked, pain worsens instead of settling, the site becomes hot and increasingly red, or you develop fever or an allergic reaction. After sampling in the brain, sudden weakness, seizure, confusion, severe headache or repeated vomiting requires emergency assessment.

What imaging will guide my procedure, and will I need a frame or other support? What is the safest route to the target? How should my medicines be managed? What is the expected recovery at this body site? When will the pathology result be ready, and which extra tests might be requested?