My colleague is afflicted with a swollen eyelid - especially a little
bump the size of a pea inside the eyelid above and between the nose and
eye.  She had a an MRI which showed nothing.  She had a cat scan which
showed the little bump.  The doctor wants to do a biopsy by cutting the
eyelid and taking a sample and digging out as much of the tumor as
possible.

She is obviously worried and has these questions.

Why can't they do a biopsy with a biopsy needle rather than cutting and
leaving a scar?

It was suggested that the tumor may be cancerous and that disturbance
from the needle might help the cancer to spread -- therefore the doctor
is hestitant to use a needle.  Is this a correct interpretation?

Why can't the doctor lift up the eyelid and work from underneath and
not leave a scar?

Any new information or insight anyone might have about her case would
be very welcome.

Michael