1800 202 8726
Biopsy costs & quotes

How to Compare — Biopsy Quotes Between Centres

Two centres can quote very different prices for the same biopsy — because pathology, imaging guidance, and tissue tests are often listed separately, or left off the quote entirely. Before you choose based on the headline number, you need to know what each quote actually includes.

Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Quotes are rarely like-for-like — The procedure fee is often only part of the total. Pathology and imaging guidance are frequently billed separately.
  • IHC can cost more than the biopsy — Immunohistochemistry panels ordered after the procedure are commonly not in the initial quote and can exceed the procedure fee.
  • Molecular tests are almost always separate — Tests such as EGFR, ALK, and PD-L1 are sent to a reference laboratory and billed independently — sometimes weeks later.
  • Ask for a written, itemised quote — A verbal price and a written itemised quote are not the same thing. Always ask for the breakdown in writing before you book.
4.8 · 800+ Google reviews · 15,000+ patients treated
Limited Slots Today

Find your nearest centre

₹950   Today: FREE  ·  Including free written second opinion

Reply within 2 working hours
Report reviewed by a senior oncologist
Confidential. No commitment to start treatment.
or
Call 1800 202 8726
17+
Cancer Specialists
on Panel
96.9%
Breast Cancer
Survival Rate*
15,000+
Patients
Treated
4.8★
Google Rating
(800+ reviews)

Biopsy quotes differ between centres because some include pathology, imaging guidance, and tissue staining in one number, while others list each as a separate charge. To compare fairly, ask each centre for a written itemised quote covering the procedure, histopathology report, imaging guidance, and any expected IHC or molecular tests.

What does a biopsy quote actually contain?

Line itemWhat it coversIndicative range (INR, 2025–26)
FNAC procedureFine needle aspiration for superficial lumps500 – 2,000
Core needle biopsyImaging-guided tissue core; standard for most solid tumours3,000 – 8,000
CT-guided biopsyUsed for deep or difficult-to-reach lesions8,000 – 20,000
Histopathology reportLab processing and pathologist's written report — sometimes bundled, often not1,500 – 4,000
IHC (per stain)Tissue staining to confirm cancer type or marker; each stain billed separately1,500 – 4,000 per stain
Molecular / biomarker testEGFR, ALK, PD-L1, MSI and similar; usually sent to a reference lab5,000 – 25,000 per test
Imaging guidanceRadiologist fee for ultrasound or CT targeting — bundled at some centres, separate at others1,000 – 3,000
Anaesthesia or sedationWhere needed; usually charged by the anaesthetist separately2,000 – 8,000
Day care / OT chargesFacility, consumables, and nursing500 – 3,000

Why does the total bill often surprise people?

The procedure fee is the cost of collecting the tissue sample. It does not automatically cover what happens to that sample afterwards.

Histopathology — the laboratory processing and the pathologist's written report — is billed separately at many centres. This is the step that tells your oncologist what the tissue actually is, and it is never optional.

Immunohistochemistry panels come after the basic report. Each stain is billed individually, and a panel of four to six stains is common in cancer diagnosis. Molecular tests are then almost always a third, separate charge — often sent to a reference laboratory and billed weeks later.

What should you check when comparing biopsy quotes?

  • Ask for a written, itemised quote — not a verbal estimate.
  • Confirm the histopathology report fee is explicitly listed.
  • Ask whether imaging guidance (ultrasound or CT) is included or charged separately.
  • Ask whether IHC stains are included and, if not, what the per-stain charge is.
  • Ask whether molecular tests are done in-house or sent to a reference lab, and at what cost.
  • Ask whether anaesthesia is likely and whether it is in the quote.
  • Ask what happens if the sample is insufficient and a repeat biopsy is needed — is it recharged in full?
  • Confirm which insurance or scheme the centre accepts and whether prior authorisation is needed before the procedure.

Which centre is right for you?

We have centres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Tell us where you are and we will point you to the closest one that offers what you need.

Meet the Specialists

17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.

Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.

Dr. Naresh Gundu
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Naresh Gundu

MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy

MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)

View Profile
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)

View Profile
Dr. Owais Mohammed
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Owais Mohammed

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)

View Profile
Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. N. Kiranmayee
Medical Oncologist

Dr. N. Kiranmayee

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Internal Medicine)

View Profile
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty

MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)

View Profile
Dr. Raghavendra Naik
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Raghavendra Naik

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Mohammed  Imaduddin
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin

M.B.B.S, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vinay Mamidala

MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)

View Profile
Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology), FMAS

View Profile
Dr. Venkata Sushma P
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Venkata Sushma P

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

View Profile
Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology), MPH

View Profile
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel
Hematologist

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel

MBBS, M.D (Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion)

View Profile
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Mohammed Imran

View Profile
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology

View Profile
Dr. Sridhar Kamani
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Sridhar Kamani

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology)

View Profile

Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.

Book Free Consultation

Care closer to home

35+ centres, so most treatment does not mean relocating to a metro.

Book Free Consultation Call 1800 202 8726

Does a lower procedure fee mean a lower total cost?

Not reliably. A centre quoting a lower procedure fee may send pathology to an external laboratory at a higher per-stain rate, making the total more expensive than a centre that bundles everything.

Compare the estimated total — procedure plus pathology plus any expected IHC or molecular tests. Your oncologist's referral letter usually says which tests will be needed, which gives you a realistic basis for comparison.

Turnaround time matters alongside cost. A report that takes two weeks rather than five days delays the start of treatment.

How do you compare two biopsy quotes step by step?

  1. Collect written itemised quotes from each centre

    Ask each centre to list every expected charge separately. A single-line quote cannot be meaningfully compared.

  2. Mark what each quote includes

    Note which of the following each quote covers: procedure, imaging guidance, histopathology, IHC, molecular tests, anaesthesia, and day care charges.

  3. Add the missing items

    Ask each centre the per-unit cost of any item not listed and add it to the total. Now the comparison is like-for-like.

  4. Check report turnaround time

    Ask when the histopathology result will be ready and whether IHC or molecular tests are done in-house or sent out. Outsourced testing adds days to weeks.

  5. Confirm pathologist credentials and second-opinion access

    Ask whether the pathologist specialises in oncology and whether the report and slides can be shared digitally for a second opinion.

  6. Confirm insurance or scheme coverage before you book

    Contact your insurer with the itemised quote to confirm coverage and get prior authorisation in writing if required.

Did you know?

Immunohistochemistry panels used to confirm a cancer diagnosis commonly involve four to eight individual stains, each billed separately. In many diagnoses, the IHC charges alone exceed the cost of the core needle biopsy procedure itself.

This is the most common reason a biopsy bill arrives higher than expected.

Source: ASCO and ESMO pathology reporting guidelines

Explore 71 more Understanding Your Biopsy and Whether You Need One topics

HUB — Does a Biopsy Spread Cancer? Myths and Evidence

HUB — What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know

All Understanding Your Biopsy and Whether You Need One →

Next step

Still not sure what applies to you?

Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.

Book Free Consultation Call 1800 202 8726
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What should a biopsy quote include as a minimum?

A complete quote should state the procedure fee, the histopathology fee (lab processing and the pathologist's written report), the imaging guidance fee if applicable, and whether IHC or molecular tests are likely and at what cost. If any of these are missing, ask specifically before you book. A quote that shows only the procedure fee will not reflect your final bill.

Can I get a second opinion on the biopsy report without repeating the biopsy?

Yes. Ask the centre for the pathology report and the tissue slides — or a digital scan of the slides — so that a second pathologist can review them. You do not need a new biopsy for a second opinion on the report. This matters most when the diagnosis is rare, ambiguous, or is being used to choose between treatment options.

Will health insurance cover IHC and molecular tests?

Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Histopathology is usually covered under a hospitalisation claim, but IHC and molecular tests are sometimes classified separately and may need prior authorisation. Contact your insurer with the itemised quote before the procedure and get any approval in writing. If you are on Ayushman Bharat or a state government scheme, ask the centre's counsellor which items fall under the package.

What if the sample is not enough and the biopsy has to be repeated?

An inadequate sample is a known outcome in some biopsies, particularly for smaller or harder-to-reach lesions. Before you book, ask how often this happens at this centre and what the charge is for a repeat. Some centres absorb the cost of a repeat in the same session; others charge in full. Get this in writing, especially for CT-guided procedures.

Is it worth travelling to another city for a cheaper biopsy?

Usually not for the procedure alone. Travel and accommodation costs often cancel out any saving on the procedure fee. Where travel may be worthwhile is if a more specialised biomarker test is only available elsewhere, or if a specialist oncopathologist at another centre has more experience with a rare cancer type. Ask your oncologist whether the quality of pathology reporting — not just the cost — is a reason to consider another centre.

Can CION provide a written itemised quote for a biopsy?

Yes. Biopsies are part of cancer care at CION centres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and the team can provide a written breakdown of expected charges before you book. Imaging guidance is coordinated with partner imaging services where needed. You are welcome to compare this with any other centre before making a decision.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

Call now Book free consultation