MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Adrenal gland biopsy

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Adrenal gland biopsy

The adrenal glands are endocrine glands which are located immediately on top of the kidneys. During an adrenal biopsy, a surgical incision is made in the abdomen and a small sample of tissue is removed and sent to the pathologist for testing. The biopsy is usually performed when a suspicious mass or tumor is found on one or both of the adrenal glands.

Update Date: 10/24/2007

Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor or Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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