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Types of Skin biopsy:
The different types of skin biopsy include the following:
excisional or
incisional biopsy
This type of biopsy is often used when a wider or deeper portion of the skin is
needed. Using a scalpel (surgical knife), a full thickness of skin is removed
for further examination, and the wound is sutured (with surgical thread).
When the entire tumor is removed, it is
called excisional biopsy technique. If only a portion of the tumor is removed, it is
called incisional biopsy technique. Excisional biopsy is often the method usually
preferred when melanoma is suspected.
- fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
This type of biopsy involves using a thin needle to remove very small pieces from
a tumor. Local anesthetic is sometimes used to numb the area, but the test rarely causes
much discomfort and leaves no scar.
FNA is not used for diagnosis of a suspicious mole, but may be used to biopsy large
lymph nodes near a melanoma to see if the melanoma has metastasized (spread). A computed
tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) - an x-ray procedure that produces cross-sectional images
of the body - may be used to guide a needle into a tumor in an internal organ such as the
lung or liver.
- punch biopsy
Punch biopsies involve taking a deeper sample of skin with a biopsy instrument that
removes a short cylinder, or "apple core," of tissue. After a local anesthetic
is administered, the instrument is rotated on the surface of the skin until it cuts
through all the layers, including the dermis, epidermis, and the most superficial parts of
the subcutis (fat).
- shave biopsy
This type of biopsy involves removing the top layers of skin by shaving it off. Shave
biopsies are also performed with a local anesthetic.
Skin biopsies involve removing a sample of skin for examination under the microscope
to determine if melanoma is present. The biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. The
patient usually just feels a small needle stick and slight burning for about one minute,
with a little pressure, but no pain.
Biopsies are obtained from the different skin layers:
A shave biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue specimens
from the thin outer layer of skin, called the epidermis.
A punch biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue specimens
from the epidermis. However, in some cases, a punch biopsy involves the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.
An excisional biopsy generally involves obtaining tissue
specimens from the deepest layer of skin, called the subcutaneous tissue.
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