Cancer Health Center

How It Is Done

Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the skin lesion. The skin sample is placed in a solution, such as formaldehyde, or in a sterile container if infection is suspected. In each of these procedures, the tissue is then examined under a microscope.

• Shave biopsy. After a local anesthetic is injected, a surgical knife (scalpel) is used to shave off the growth. Stitches are not needed. Any bleeding can usually be controlled with a chemical that stops bleeding and by applying pressure. The biopsy site is then covered with a bandage or sterile dressing. See a picture of a shave skin biopsy .
• Punch biopsy. After a local anesthetic is injected, a small, sharp tool that looks like a cookie cutter (punch) is placed over the lesion, pushed down, and slowly rotated to remove a circular piece of skin. The skin sample is lifted up with a tool called a forceps or a needle and is cut from the tissue below. Stitches may not be needed for a small skin sample. If a large skin sample is taken, one or two stitches may be needed. Pressure is applied to the site until the bleeding stops. The wound is then covered with a bandage or sterile dressing. See a picture of a punch biopsy .
• Incision. After a local anesthetic is injected, a piece of the lesion is removed with a scalpel. Stitches are used to close the wound. Pressure is applied to the site until the bleeding stops. The wound is then covered with a bandage or sterile dressing.
• Excision. After a local anesthetic is injected, the entire lesion is removed with a scalpel. Stitches are used to close the wound. Pressure is applied to the site until the bleeding stops. The wound is then covered with a bandage or sterile dressing. If the excision is large, a skin graft may be needed. See a picture of an excisional biopsy . If cancer is discovered, more surgery will be needed.

How It Feels

You will feel brief stinging pain when the local anesthetic is injected. You should not feel any pain when the skin sample is removed.

Risks

Although unlikely, there is a slight risk of infection and a slight risk of persistent bleeding. If you usually form scars after skin injuries or surgery, you could develop a scar at the biopsy site.

After the procedure

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for your biopsy site. Keep the biopsy site clean and dry until it heals completely.

Your stitches will be taken out 3 to 14 days after the biopsy, depending on the biopsy site. Adhesive bandages should remain in place until they fall off. This usually takes from 7 to 14 days.

The biopsy site may be sore or bleed slightly for several days. Ask your doctor how much bleeding or other drainage is expected. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• Excessive bleeding or drainage through the bandage. If excessive bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the biopsy site and contact your doctor.
• Increased tenderness, pain, redness, or swelling at the biopsy site.
• A fever.