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.

Review Date: 10/24/2007
Reviewed 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.