What is the primary purpose of a biopsy?

The primary purpose of a biopsy is to remove tissue for cancer evaluation. This procedure involves taking a small sample of tissue from a suspicious area in the body to examine it microscopically for the presence of cancerous cells or other abnormalities. Biopsies are crucial in diagnosing various conditions, particularly cancer, as they allow for definitive histological examination, thus aiding in determining the nature, type, and stage of a disease.

Other options may involve procedures that contribute to diagnostics or therapeutic interventions but do not serve the primary function of a biopsy. For instance, removing polyps is a specific therapeutic procedure aimed at preventing cancer, but it does not encompass the broader diagnostic purpose of a biopsy, which seeks to analyze tissue for malignancy. Assessing metabolic functions generally relates to tests that evaluate biochemical activities within the body rather than examining tissue samples directly. Visualizing internal organs typically involves imaging techniques such as CT scans or MRIs, which do not provide tissue specimens for pathological analysis. Thus, the biopsy uniquely fulfills the essential role of analyzing tissue to diagnose potential cancer.