Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of skin for testing. The skin sample is looked at under a microscope to check for a variety of conditions, including skin cancer. There are three main ways to do a skin biopsy.

The type of biopsy you get depends on the location and size of the abnormal area of skin, known as a skin lesion. These types include: A punch biopsy, which uses a special tool with a round blade to remove a small, round piece of skin. This may be used to get a sample that goes deeper into the skin.; A shave biopsy, which removes a sample from the topmost layers of your skin with a razor blade.

This is the most used of the three types.; An excisional biopsy, which removes the skin sample with a small knife called a scalpel (a small cutting blade).; Most skin biopsies can be done in a health care provider's office or other outpatient facility.

Why this test is done

You may need a skin biopsy if you have certain skin symptoms such as:

• A persistent rash.
• Scaly or rough skin.
• Open sores that won't heal.
• Blistering skin, which may be a sign of pemphigus, an autoimmune disease.
• A mole or new growth that has the "A-B-C-D-Es" of melanoma:
• Asymmetrical -- the shape is not regular.
• Border -- the edge is jagged.
• Color -- the color is uneven.
• Diameter -- the size is larger than a pea.
• Evolving -- the mole or growth has changed in the past few weeks or months.

How to prepare

You don't need any special preparations for a skin biopsy.

Sample type

Tissue/Biopsy

Other names for this test

punch biopsy, shave biopsy, excisional biopsy, skin cancer biopsy, basal cell biopsy, squamous cell biopsy, melanoma biopsy