Skin Cancer Services

A skin biopsy is a medical procedure that involves the removal of a small sample of skin tissue for examination under a microscope. Skin biopsies are commonly used to diagnose skin cancer.

Skin biopsies are the gold standard for diagnosing skin cancer, as they allow doctors to examine the skin tissue and determine whether the cells are cancerous or not.

There are several types of skin biopsies, and the choice of biopsy type depends on the nature and location of the skin lesion. Here are the most common types of skin biopsies:

SHAVE BIOPSY
A shave biopsy is a procedure that involves shaving off the top layers of the skin using a sharp blade or scalpel. This type of biopsy is typically used for skin lesions that are raised or have irregular borders.

PUNCH BIOPSY
A punch biopsy is a procedure that involves using a cylindrical punch tool to remove a small circular piece of skin tissue. This type of biopsy is typically used for skin lesions that are deep or difficult to diagnose.

EXCISIONAL BIOPSY
An excisional biopsy is a procedure that involves removing the entire lesion or tumor along with a surrounding margin of healthy skin. This type of biopsy is typically used for skin cancer or suspicious moles.