Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A biopsy of the liver is often performed to assess iron overload conditions, such as hemochromatosis or secondary iron overload. The liver is a central organ in iron metabolism and plays a significant role in storing excess iron. When there is an overload, liver tissue can be damaged, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even hepatocellular carcinoma over time.

The liver holds the majority of the body's iron stores, making it a key site for evaluating the extent of iron accumulation. Histological examination of liver tissue can reveal changes indicative of iron deposition, which can be quantified using special staining techniques, such as Prussian blue staining.

While iron overload can affect other organs, including the heart and endocrine organs like the pancreas, the liver is the primary focus of biopsy in clinical practice for diagnosing and monitoring iron overload. The spleen and kidneys also can be involved in iron metabolism but are not typically assessed through biopsy for iron overload specifically.