The test is done in an operating room in a hospital, or at an outpatient surgical facility. There are two ways the sample may be obtained: * Needle biopsy * Open (excisional) biopsy Needle biopsy A needle biopsy involves inserting a needle into a<unk>  to obtain the sample. The patient lies on the examination table; the biopsy site is cleansed; and a local anesthetic is injected. The biopsy needle is then inserted into the<unk> . A sample is removed, pressure is applied to the site to stop the bleeding, and a bandage is applied. Open biopsy An open biopsy consists of surgically removing all or part of a<unk> . The patient lies on the examination table and is given a sedative. The skin over the biopsy site is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is injected (occasionally, a general anesthetic is given). A small incision is made, and the lymph<unk>  or part of the<unk>  is removed. The incision is then closed with stitches and bandaged. The sample is then sent to pathology. With this test there is a small chance of infection or bleeding. Additionally, there is a moderate risk of nerve injury, localized paralysis, or numbness when the biopsy is performed on a lymph<unk>  close to nerves.
Lymph node biopsy
Open biopsy
Needle-localized biopsy
Tissue typing
Lymphadenectomy
Immunophenotyping
Cytopathology
Mycology