At Dermatology & Skin Health, our world-class team of dermatologists, surgeons, and other medical providers have been known to conduct thorough physical examinations for any patient who needs them. But for many cases, observing a patient and their skin may not be enough to diagnose skin cancer or rule out similar skin conditions.
In case you’ve spotted a new skin lesion, mole, or any other spot on your body, it’s best to cover all the bases and rule out cancerous tissue as soon as possible. Through our skin biopsy procedures, we can sample your skin 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.
A skin biopsy is a medical test that is performed by an interventional cardiologist or radiologist to extract a sample of skin cells or tissues for examination. The examination is done to check for the presence or extent of an infectious disease or progressing skin disease like cancer.
At Dermatology & Skin Health in Dover, Newington & Londonderry, NH, and Peabody, MA, we perform skin biopsies to check for various skin conditions and unusual skin spots, including:
During a skin biopsy procedure, a surgeon will remove abnormal skin cells or a skin sample from the surface of the body. The biopsy specimen is then examined to provide more information about your medical condition. With biopsies, we can diagnose or rule out certain skin cancers and diseases. From there, we can determine the best treatment to remove the cancer cells and minimize the long-term damage to your skin.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
There are mainly 3 types of biopsies - shave, punch, and excisional - but there’s also incisional biopsy. These types primarily differ by the tool that is used and the amount of sample that is taken.
During 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 dermatologists’ recommendation. Getting a biopsy doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancerous growth. In many cases, dermatologists recommend biopsies to rule out conditions like lesions, skin growth, and skin cancer for skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis that have a similar appearance with cancerous growths.
With a biopsy, the dermatologists at Dermatology & Skin Health can diagnose or rule out skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Getting a diagnosis for these within their early stages is crucial to your treatment’s success.
Removing the cancer cells within its early stages prevents cancer from spreading to normal skin tissue and – for types like squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma – other internal organs. Melanoma, the most dangerous and potentially fatal type of skin cancer among those mentioned, can be cured if you’re able to catch it within its early stages. At Dermatology & Skin Health, our team can also use biopsies to remove skin lesions and treat skin infections.
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
Your dermatologist may recommend getting a biopsy if you have any of the following:
Before your biopsy begins, it’s important to tell your doctor if you’ve been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, if you have a history of skin infections, or if you’re taking medications that either suppress your immune system or cause blood thinning. If your biopsy findings diagnose you with skin cancer cells or any skin lesion, your doctor may require additional medical tests to determine which dermatologic surgery is best.
Your experience at Dermatology & Skin Health will depend on the type of biopsy you receive.
For shave biopsies, your doctor will use a sharp, double-edged razor or scalpel to cut the tissue sample from the biopsy site. The depth of the incision will vary, depending on the part of the body that is being targeted. The procedure does cause bleeding, which will be stopped by the application of pressure. A topical cream will then be applied to the site of the cut.
For punch or excisional biopsies, the procedure involves cutting deep down to the top layer of fat beneath the skin. Stitches may be needed to close the wound and a sterile dressing or an adhesive bandage is then used to protect your wound and prevent bleeding. Depending on the depth of your biopsy, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medicines, antibiotics, and other medications and remedies for post-care.
After your procedure, we will send the entire lesion or skin sample to a lab for comprehensive testing. A pathologist will examine your skin sample and determine if the skin has cancer cells or if there’s an active infection. The results can take several days or a couple of weeks, depending on the skin condition, type of biopsy, and lab procedures.
A follow-up session with you will then be scheduled in order to discuss the test results. If your report has findings like skin cancer, our locations are equipped to provide different surgical and non-surgical options to remove the cancerous cells. Some therapies and treatments our team can provide include:
At Dermatology & Skin Health, we offer world-class services done by award-winning doctors who have proven their knowledge and skills in this field. Start your journey towards achieving your best skin by contacting us today.
Schedule your appointment with a dermatologist at your nearest Dermatology & Skin Health to discuss more treatment options. Please don't hesitate to raise any questions or concerns that you have during your appointments. At Dermatology & Skin Health, we want to be as helpful and transparent as possible. If treatments are needed, they can be performed by our highly-trained health professionals in our sterile and state-of-the-art facilities.
If you live in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire or the North Shore of Massachusetts, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at your nearest Dermatology & Skin Health location. We have 4 locations: Dover, Newington, Londonderry, NH, and Peabody, MA. You can schedule your comprehensive skin checks with our dermatologist in any of these locations..
To set up your appointment, request one online or give us a call at (603) 742-5556 (Dover & Newington), (978) 525-0100 (Peabody), (603) 965-3551 (Londonderry), or (603) 742-5556 (Bedford).
At Dermatology & Skin Health, our excellent dermatology services are guaranteed to be safe and effective, performed by the top doctors in their respective fields. Treat your skin problems by contacting us today.
If your desired appointment type or preferred provider is unavailable online, kindly call (978) 525-0100 for Peabody, MA and (603) 742-5556 for all New Hampshire locations. Alternatively please feel free to send us your request via the patient portal, or via email at info@dermskinhealth.com
*For medical dermatology appointments in MA please dial (978) 525-0100 or fill out the appointment request form above.
