Diagnostics · London
Private biopsy in London, for a definitive answer.
When a scan can suggest but not confirm, a small tissue sample settles it.
Indicative pricing
What a private biopsy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers.
In short
£700-£1,400, with histology in 7-14 days.
| Biopsy type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Results turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin biopsy (punch or excision) | £350–£700 | 20–30 min | 7–14 days |
| Ultrasound-guided core biopsy | £700–£1,400 | 30–45 min | 7–14 days |
| Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) | £450–£900 | 20–30 min | 5–10 days |
| Breast biopsy (image-guided) | £800–£1,600 | 30–45 min | 7–10 days |
| Prostate biopsy (MRI-targeted) | £1,800–£3,200 | 45–60 min | 7–14 days |
| Second-opinion histology review | £350–£650 | Report only | 7–14 days |
Prices vary by clinic, by who takes the sample, by the imaging guidance used, and by how many samples the laboratory has to process.
The problem
Imaging suggests. Only tissue tells you.
A scan can describe a lump’s size, shape and behaviour - but it cannot say for certain what it is. A biopsy can. The skill is taking the right sample from the right place, and having the right pathologist look at it.
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Frightened by the word?
A biopsy is how you find out - and many come back entirely benign. It is a question, not an answer.
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Worried it will hurt?
Almost all are done under local anaesthetic. Most people find it far easier than expected.
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Dreading the wait?
Histology takes 7-14 days. We chase it and keep you informed rather than leaving you in silence.
What it shows
When a biopsy is the right next step.
A biopsy is arranged when something needs a definitive answer rather than a probability. These are the situations we see most.
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An unexplained lump
When a scan cannot say for certain whether a lump is harmless, a sample can.
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Breast changes
Image-guided sampling of a breast lump or an area seen on a mammogram.
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Prostate (after mpMRI)
Targeted sampling guided by your MRI, rather than random needles.
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Skin lesions & moles
A small sample or full removal of a changing mole or suspicious patch.
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Thyroid nodules
Fine-needle aspiration to characterise a nodule found on ultrasound.
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Enlarged lymph nodes
Establishes the cause of a node that has not settled on its own.
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Liver, kidney & organs
Image-guided sampling to diagnose disease or grade its severity.
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The definitive answer
Imaging suggests. Only a biopsy tells you what something actually is.
Biopsy types
Not all biopsies are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Needle core biopsy
A narrow needle takes a small core of tissue - the most common type.
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Fine-needle aspiration
A very thin needle draws out cells. Quick, and often used for thyroid nodules.
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Ultrasound-guided
Real-time imaging places the needle precisely, and is the usual approach.
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CT-guided
For deeper structures the ultrasound cannot reach clearly.
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MRI-targeted (prostate)
Uses your mpMRI to aim at the suspicious area rather than sampling blindly.
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Punch & excision (skin)
A small punch sample, or removing the lesion entirely.
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Endoscopic biopsy
Taken during a camera test such as a colonoscopy or gastroscopy.
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Second-opinion review
An independent pathologist re-reviews existing slides - no new procedure.
Safety and eligibility
Safer, and easier, than most people expect.
Biopsies are safe and usually straightforward. The things worth planning are blood-thinning medication, and knowing what to expect afterwards.
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Local anaesthetic
Almost all biopsies are done under local anaesthetic. You feel pressure and pushing rather than pain.
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Blood-thinning medication
Warfarin, DOACs, clopidogrel and even aspirin may need pausing.
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Bleeding and bruising
Some bruising is normal. Significant bleeding is uncommon and the team is prepared for it.
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Infection
Uncommon. The area is cleaned thoroughly and you are told what to watch for afterwards.
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Scarring
Needle biopsies leave a tiny mark. Skin excisions leave a small scar, discussed beforehand.
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Sedation, if needed
Most biopsies need none, but light sedation can be arranged if you are very anxious.
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Getting home
You can usually travel home alone and unaided. With sedation, you will need someone with you.
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The wait for results
Histology takes 7-14 days and the wait is genuinely hard. We keep you informed rather than leaving you guessing.
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An inconclusive result
Occasionally a sample is not diagnostic and needs repeating. We explain why and arrange it quickly.
Reading your report
A histology report can look intimidating. It isn't.
Whatever tissue was taken, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
Histology language is precise and can read coldly - ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.
Ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.
- 01 Header
Your details and the question
Your details, what was sampled, and the clinical question behind it.
- 02 Technique
How the sample was taken
Which technique and guidance were used - for example an ultrasound-guided core biopsy - and how many samples were obtained.
- 03 Findings
What the pathologist saw
A description of the tissue under the microscope, including cell type, grade and any special stains used.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The diagnosis, in as plain terms as the tissue allows - read this first. Your specialist plans treatment from here.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about biopsies.
Quick answers on pain, cost, blood thinners, and how long results take.
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Does a biopsy hurt?
Less than most people expect. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure and pushing rather than sharp pain. The anaesthetic injection itself stings briefly.
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How long do biopsy results take?
Usually 7-14 days, because the tissue must be processed, sectioned, stained and examined by a consultant pathologist. Some fine-needle samples come back sooner. We chase them and make sure they are explained.
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How much does a private biopsy cost in London?
A skin biopsy is typically £350-£700, an ultrasound-guided core biopsy £700-£1,400, and an MRI-targeted prostate biopsy £1,800-£3,200.
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Does having a biopsy mean they think it is cancer?
No. A biopsy is done precisely because imaging cannot say for certain. Many biopsies come back completely benign - it is a test to find out, not a conclusion.
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Can a biopsy spread cancer?
This is a very common worry, and the evidence does not support it. The risk of a biopsy seeding cancer is considered negligible, and the benefit of an accurate diagnosis is substantial.
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Do I need to stop my blood thinners?
Possibly - warfarin, DOACs, clopidogrel and sometimes aspirin need planning around. Never stop them on your own.
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Will I be put to sleep?
Almost never. Most biopsies use local anaesthetic only. Light sedation can be arranged if you are very anxious, in which case you will need someone to take you home.
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What happens after the biopsy?
You rest briefly, the site is dressed, and most people go home within the hour and back to normal activity the same or next day. Heavy lifting and exercise are usually avoided for a day or two.
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What if the result is inconclusive?
It happens occasionally - the sample may not contain enough diagnostic tissue. We explain why and arrange a repeat or a different approach quickly rather than leaving it hanging.
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Can I get a second opinion on my biopsy?
Yes. An independent consultant pathologist can re-review your existing slides without any new procedure, typically for £350-£650. It is worth considering for a difficult or borderline diagnosis.
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