Your doctor may use an endoscopy to collect tissue samples (biopsy) to test for diseases and conditions, such as anemia, bleeding, inflammation, diarrhea or cancers of the digestive system.

Are biopsies common during endoscopy?

In my experience, biopsies are taken whenever any endoscopy is performed, either of something specific or, if nothing is seen, randomly, to look for signs of, for example, inflammation. It's usual to be told immediately if something is found, otherwise, it's the wait for biopsy results.

Do doctors always do biopsies during endoscopy?

Biopsies to check for stomach cancer are most often done during an upper endoscopy. If the doctor sees any abnormal areas in the stomach lining during the endoscopy, instruments can be passed down the endoscope to biopsy them.