Various apparatus and methods for excising tissue are described therein. In certain variations, a method of excising a target tissue mass from a subject, may include advancing an elongate instrument having an opening at its distal end into a subject. A cutting element, e.g., a snare or loop, may be advanced from the distal end of the elongate instrument, wherein the cutting element may be configured to cut tissue. The cutting element may be positioned near the target tissue mass. The cutting element may be actuated, e.g., expanded or deployed, and may perform energy based or mechanical cutting of a section of tissue encapsulating the target tissue mass. The cut section of tissue and the target tissue mass encapsulated therein may be removed from the subject.
