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Preparing for your biopsy

What Documents to Carry to — Your Biopsy Appointment

Arriving without the right documents can mean your biopsy is cancelled on the day. The most important items are your scan images — not just the printed report — because the team needs the actual image files to decide exactly where to take the sample.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty, Surgical Oncologist, MBBS (AIIMS) · MS Surgery (AIIMS) · DNB Surg Onc · MRCS (Edinburgh) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Scan images, not just reports — The team uses your actual scan files to plan where the needle goes. A written report is not enough.
  • Prior slides if you have been biopsied before — Glass slides from an earlier biopsy let the pathologist compare tissue directly, not from a summary.
  • Insurance authorisation in advance — Pre-authorisation can take two to three days — do not leave it for the morning of the appointment.
  • Confirm the list when you book — Requirements vary by biopsy type. Ask the centre exactly what to bring when you confirm your date.
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Bring your doctor's referral letter, your most recent scan images and reports, any prior biopsy slides and pathology reports, a list of your current medications, your ID, and your insurance authorisation if you are using insurance. Confirm the exact list with the centre when you book, as requirements can vary.

Why do your old scan images change where the biopsy is done?

When a biopsy is guided by imaging — and most are — the doctor reviews your previous scans before the procedure to choose the exact entry point and angle of the needle.

A written report describes what the radiologist saw in words. It does not give the operator the precise measurements and anatomical landmarks they need to plan that route.

If you arrive without the actual image files, the team may be able to work from what is available, or the procedure may need to be rescheduled. Neither outcome is what you want on the day.

What do you need to bring on the day of the biopsy?

  • Doctor's referral letter or biopsy request form
  • Scan images on CD — CT, MRI, PET-CT, or ultrasound, whichever applies to you
  • Printed reports for all the scans you are bringing
  • Prior biopsy glass slides, if a biopsy has been done before anywhere
  • Previous pathology or histopathology report, if you have one
  • A written list of all medicines and supplements you currently take
  • A valid government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card, passport, or equivalent
  • Insurance card and pre-authorisation letter, if using health insurance
  • Your appointment confirmation letter or booking details

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What do you need to arrange before the day of the biopsy?

Insurance pre-authorisation is the item families most often leave too late. Contact your insurer at least two to three days before the appointment and ask for written confirmation, not just a phone call.

If your previous biopsy was done at a different hospital, call that hospital's pathology department now and ask how to request your glass slides. Retrieving slides across institutions can take several days, and some hospitals require a release form or charge a small transfer fee.

Your treating doctor will give you specific instructions before the procedure. Follow those instructions carefully, and call the centre if anything is unclear.

How do you get your documents ready, step by step?

  1. Call the centre when you book

    Ask exactly which documents they need for your type of biopsy. Keep a note of what they tell you — the list may be longer than you expect, and it varies by procedure.

  2. Collect your scan images on CD

    Go to the hospital or imaging centre where each scan was done and ask for the images on CD. A printed film is not the same. Allow a day or two — some centres need advance notice to prepare a copy.

  3. Request prior biopsy slides if needed

    If a biopsy was done before — anywhere, at any time — contact that laboratory and request the glass slides. Ask how long transfer will take and whether you need to sign a release form.

  4. Arrange insurance pre-authorisation

    Call your insurer and ask what documentation they need before the procedure. Get their pre-authorisation in writing. Do this at least two to three days before your appointment.

  5. Put everything in one folder the evening before

    Organise all your documents together so nothing is left behind in the morning. Bring originals or certified copies as the centre instructs.

Did you know?

In image-guided biopsies — the standard approach for most solid tumours — the operator uses your previous scans to plan exactly where to position the needle before the procedure begins.

This is why bringing the actual image files on CD matters. The written report describes findings in words; the CD gives the operator the visual detail they need to plan the route.

Source: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines on Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can the biopsy go ahead if I forget my scan images?

It depends on the type of biopsy and how urgently it is needed. Some procedures can proceed with whatever imaging is available on the day; others cannot be accurately targeted without prior scans and may need to be postponed. Do not assume it will be fine — call the centre the day before if you are unsure you have everything, so they can tell you whether to come ahead or reschedule. A five-minute call is much easier than a cancelled appointment.

My previous biopsy was done at a different hospital. Do I really need those glass slides?

Yes, if a biopsy was done before. Glass slides allow the pathologist to look at your earlier tissue sample directly, which helps them interpret what they find now. A paper report describes what someone else saw, and that is less useful than the physical tissue. Contact the other hospital's pathology department as soon as possible — requesting slides across institutions can take several days, and some hospitals charge a small fee for the transfer.

How do I get my scan images on a CD?

Go to the radiology or imaging department of the hospital or centre where the scan was done and ask for a copy of the images on CD. Most centres can prepare this within a day, though some may need advance notice. Bring your earlier scan reports when you collect the CD so you can confirm the correct study has been copied. If you are unsure where to start, your treating team can advise you on how to request it.

Do I need insurance pre-authorisation before I arrive?

Most insurers require pre-authorisation for a biopsy — without it, your claim may be declined or only partially reimbursed. Contact your insurer as soon as your biopsy is scheduled and ask what documentation they need from your doctor. Get the authorisation in writing before the day. Requirements differ between insurers and between biopsy types, so confirm your specific situation rather than assuming the process is the same as a previous claim.

I am on regular medication. What should I do before the biopsy?

Tell your treating team about every medicine and supplement you currently take, including anything bought over the counter or taken occasionally. Some medicines need to be paused before a biopsy, and your doctor will tell you which ones apply to you and for how long. Do not stop or change any medicine on your own before receiving that guidance. Bring a written list of your medicines to the appointment so nothing is missed during the review.

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 →

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