Insufficient information to answer specifically Connemmara.
There are essentially 4 different methods of lung biopsy.
Bronchoscope, Fine Needle, Open or Video Assisted. The type of biopsy selected is very dependant upon what they are looking for and its location in the lung(s) / airways.
This is a link to a website offering some information that may be of help;
http://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-biopsy
If your friends lesion is on the outer part or surface of the lung, then needle biopsy under local anaesthesia is the order of the day.
If however it is more centrally placed, deeper and more inaccessible then bronchoscopy, through the mouth and larynx will be required, probably also under local anaesthesia.
Way back in 1959 when doctors used hammers and chisels I had a lung biopsy for Sarcoidosis and a 6" incision was made in my left side and a small piece of lung was taken. Just another exciting episode in my medical history, but 75 now and still about.