This is normally a well tolerated procedure that is done in a hospital setting or as an outpatient in a surgical center. Normally, a heavy sedative is administered together with a local or general anesthesia. A surgeon will open the skin to gain access to the cancer site and take a sample of the tissue, which is then sent to a laboratory for detailed studies.

If a tumor is visible, or easily palpable, a surgical biopsy can be done in a matter of minutes. For tumors that are located in deep areas, the procedure is normally done in an operating room under general anesthesia. The patient will remain in the hospital to recover.