Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is a procedure by which cells or skin samples from the surface of the body are removed and sent to a special laboratory that examines it under a microscope to diagnose or rule out certain skin conditions and diseases. Doctors may call an area of abnormal tissue a lesion, mass or growth. Usually, a doctor recommends a biopsy when a physical examination suggests an area of tissue may be suspicious. Additionally, some biopsies are performed to remove moles for medical and/or cosmetic concerns.

The physicians at Brentview Medical Urgent Care are equipped and skilled in performing biopsies on the face and body. Before each biopsy, the area is cleansed and then a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area. Once the anesthetic has taken effect, there should be no pain associated with the procedure. The kind of lesion that is being excised guides what technique should be adopted. There are three types of skin biopsy, shave biopsy, punch biopsy and excisional biopsy. This depends on the technique, stitches may or may not be used.

For an excisional biopsy, a Brentview Medical healthcare staff person employs a scalpel to excise the lesion and the border of healthy skin around it. The doctor will establish how large a margin it should be. Stitches are set deep in the skin, or on the surface uppermost, depending on the depth of the excision.

For the procedure that involves no stitches, a scalpel is used to shave the lesion, allowing it to be flush with the surrounding skin. Then the doctor cauterizes the area to stop any bleeding with an electrical instrument. Topical antibiotics are applied to reduce risk of infection and shaving removes the protruding surface of a mole. Keep in mind this can leave mole cells beneath the skin and may grow back. Shave biopsies that do not require stitches are the most common type of biopsy performed.

Biopsies at Brentview Medical Urgent Care typically take less than 15 minutes to perform.