Skin lesion biopsy

Most procedures can be done in your provider's office or an outpatient medical office. There are several ways to do a skin biopsy. Which procedure you have depends on the location, size, and type of lesion. A lesion is an abnormal area of the skin. This can be a lump, sore, or an area of skin color that is not normal.…

Tell your provider: About the medicines you are taking, including vitamins and supplements, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter medicines If you have any allergies If you have bleeding problems or take a blood thinner medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, warfarin, clopidogrel, dabigatran, apixaban, or…

Your provider may order a skin biopsy: To diagnose the cause of a skin rash To make sure a skin growth or skin lesion is not skin cancer

The tissue that was removed is examined under a microscope. Results are most often returned in a few days to a week or more. If a skin lesion is benign (not cancer), you may not need any further treatment. If the whole skin lesion was not removed at the time of biopsy, you and your provider may decide to completely…

Once the biopsy confirms the diagnosis, your provider will start a treatment plan. A few of the skin problems that may be diagnosed are: Psoriasis or dermatitis Infection from bacteria or fungus Melanoma Basal cell skin cancer Squamous cell skin cancer

Risks of a skin biopsy may include: Infection Scar or keloids You will bleed slightly during the procedure.

You will go home with a bandage over the area. The biopsy area may be tender for a few days afterward. You may have a small amount of bleeding. Depending on what type of biopsy you had, you will be given instructions on how to care for: The skin biopsy area Stitches , if you have them Skin graft or flap , if you have…

Dinulos JGH. Dermatologic surgical procedures. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 27. High WA, Tomasini CF, Argenziano G, Zalaudek I. Basic principles of dermatology. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds.…