Skin Cancer BIOPSY

Early Detection Saves Lives

Consultation Required?

No

Treatment Length

30 minutes

Number of Sessions

1

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SKIN CANCER BIOPSY

A Skin Cancer Biopsy Can Help Identify A Suspicious Spot

A skin biopsy is a simple, in-office procedure where a small sample of skin tissue is removed and checked for cancerous cells, even at its earliest stages, to detect and remove cancerous cells as soon as possible. This minimizes the risk of spreading as well as its long-term effects like the development of more dangerous forms of skin cancer. 

Your dermatologist may recommend a biopsy if you have:

  • A mole that has changed in size, shape, or color
  • A growth or spot that bleeds, doesn’t heal, or keeps coming back
  • A lesion that looks different from your other moles
  • A suspicious area was identified during a routine skin cancer screening
  • A new growth that appears
  • Any area of concern that needs a definitive diagnosis

Early detection is crucial. If caught early, most skin cancers are treatable with excellent outcomes.

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What It Treats

Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Melanoma
Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Atypical/dysplastic moles/nevi “precancerous lesions”
Moles
Actinic keratosis
Woman getting a skin check from a provider

Types of Skin Cancer Biopsy Procedures

There are mainly 3 types of biopsies – shave, punch, and excisional – but there’s also an incisional biopsy.  These types primarily differ by the tool that is used and the amount of sample that is taken.

A shave biopsy, a razor-sharp tool will remove a thin piece of skin tissue from the surface to be examined. The cut is at the very outer layer of the skin and is very superficial. Meanwhile, a punch biopsy goes much deeper as a circular tool punctures and removes a deeper section of the skin tissue that includes the epidermis, dermis, and upper layer of fat. Lastly, an excisional biopsy removes the entire lump and the healthy skin tissue around it.

Opposite of this is an incisional biopsy, where only a part of the lump or abnormal skin is taken as a specimen for further examination. 

Which biopsy technique will be used depends on your condition and your dermatologist’s recommendation during your skin check. Book an appointment with our team today to get the peace of mind you deserve.

Lab tech performing biopsy with microscope

FAQS

Skin Biopsy Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ABCD(E)’s of Melanoma?

The American Academy of Dermatology has developed the following ABCDEs of Melanoma guide for assessing whether or not a mole or other lesion may be becoming cancerous. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist in the nearest Dermatology & Skin Health location near you if you find a pigmented spot or mole that has the following:

Asymmetry:

Half of the mole doesn’t match the other half in size, shape, or color.

Border:

The edges of the mole are irregular or blurred and have a poorly-defined border.

Color:

The mole is not the same color throughout. You may notice varying colors like brown, black, red, white, and blue.

Diameter:

The mole is larger than one-quarter inch in size. Most cases of melanoma are usually bigger than 6mm.

Evolving:

The spot that once looked a certain way appears to be changing in size, shape, or color.

The Dermatology & Skin Health Difference

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    Wide Range of Services
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Related Services

Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Mole Removal
Skin Checks

Patients Love Our Team

  • "Jane Tallent is awesome, staff are pleasant and accommodating. I was put on a waiting list for an appointment, called a few days later with an opening. Would highly recommend.."

    "Jane Tallent is awesome, staff are pleasant and accommodating. I was put on a waiting list for an appointment, called a few days later with an opening. Would highly recommend.."

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    Amanda Dyer

  • "Great staff friendly and helpful. Clean offices and exam rooms. Heather who is my provider is fantastic. Pleasant friendly and makes you feel at ease. Great job by everyone. Thank you."

    "Great staff friendly and helpful. Clean offices and exam rooms. Heather who is my provider is fantastic. Pleasant friendly and makes you feel at ease. Great job by everyone. Thank you."

    Doug Potter

    Doug Potter

  • "First time here an first time at a dermatologist!! It went very good from the registration to the checkout!! Everyone was really helpful and caring!! Good experience,I would recommend them!!"

    "First time here an first time at a dermatologist!! It went very good from the registration to the checkout!! Everyone was really helpful and caring!! Good experience,I would recommend them!!"

    Cindy N

    Cindy N

  • "I’ve had great experiences with the team here so far! Dr. Heather Bigos is super kind, funny, and knowledgeable, and puts you at ease while being really honest. I really appreciate how..."

    "I’ve had great experiences with the team here so far! Dr. Heather Bigos is super kind, funny, and knowledgeable, and puts you at ease while being really honest. I really appreciate how much they care about comfortability, especially asking if I minded the gender of my practitioner. I didn’t catch the name of the nurses or physicians assistants but they were great too. I plan on continuing to visit Dermatology and Skin Health in Dover whenever I need their services!"

    Sophie G

    Sophie G

  • "I am very pleased with the service at Dermatology & Skin Health. Dr. Molly Plovanich is very personable and professional. The staff is always pleasant and on a couple of occasions I..."

    "I am very pleased with the service at Dermatology & Skin Health. Dr. Molly Plovanich is very personable and professional. The staff is always pleasant and on a couple of occasions I have been able to get in to see Dr P. on two or three days notice.

    When I was searching for a dermatologist following a move from out of state, I came across this practice. Some of the online reviews were awful. These are old reviews and the practice is under new management. Ignore the negative reviews. I highly recommend this practice."

    William Dugan

    William Dugan

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