Liver Biopsy at University Hospital of Munich (LMU)

A liver biopsy is a medical procedure performed to collect a small piece of liver tissue, so it can be examined closely under a microscope for signs of disease or damage. This procedure is usually carried out to detect the presence of abnormal cells in the liver, such as cancer cells. Your doctor may suggest a liver biopsy if the result of your blood tests or imaging studies shows that you might have a problem in your liver. Although biopsies are usually associated with cancer, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer if your doctor recommends this test. 

A liver biopsy is most often used to:

• Identify the cause of unexplained jaundice (yellowing of the skin), persistent abnormal liver blood tests (liver enzymes), a liver abnormality found on CT scan, ultrasound, or nuclear scan, as well as unexplained enlargement of the liver

• Determine the severity of the liver disease

• Grade and stage hepatitis B and C

• Monitor the liver after a liver transplant

• Help develop the best treatment for liver damage or disease.