What is a skin biopsy?
A skin biopsy is a small surgical procedure in which a dermatologist takes a piece of skin and sends it to a pathology laboratory where the pathologist examines the skin under a microscope.
When should a skin biopsy be done?
A skin biopsy is performed to diagnose skin changes. Sometimes skin diseases look very similar at first glance, so additional tests are needed. Such an examination is a skin biopsy and associated pathohistological testing. Pathohistological testing involves looking at the structure of the skin under a microscope after the cells have been stainedwith special dyes.
When does a dermatologist decide on a biopsy?
These are usually 2 situations:
1. If changes in the skin of a dermatologist’s patient indicate a larger number of diagnoses, a biopsy usually enables a correct diagnosis.
2. If a dermatologist suspects you have skin cancer a biopsy is done to confirm or rule out the existence of cancer. A biopsy can also provide information on the type of skin cancer, which can determine the best possible treatment.
How is a biopsy done?
Shortly before performing the biopsy, you receive a small injection of a local anesthetic as a part of the body numb, which instantly causes a stinging sensation, but the skin numbs very quickly.
When the anesthetic starts to work, a biopsy is performed, ie. by cutting, a piece of skin is taken and sent for pathohistological analysis. In doing so, a pressing sensation may be felt in the area where the biopsy is performed, but this should not hurt. If the pain is still present, tell the doctor, who will then add some more anesthetics.
Is the wound that is formed during the biopsy sutured and should it be bandaged?
Depending on the type of biopsy, sometimes the wound is sutured and sometimes not. If the wound is sutured, the dermatologist will explain when and where you can remove the sutures. The dressing is applied at the biopsy site and the dressing should remain on the wound for the first 24 hours. After that the bandage is removed or another is put on.
When will I find out the right diagnosis, ie the results of the biopsy?
The results of the biopsy will be communicated to you at the dermatologist’s check-up. It is usually two to three weeks after the biopsy when the doctor gets the results from the pathology lab. Sometimes the procedure can take longer if special colors are required.
Does the scar remain at the biopsy site?
Yes, a small scar remains after the biopsy.
What is a biopsy by drilling?
Drilling biopsies or PUNCH biopsies are quick, limited and usually create a small wound and allow the pathologist to get a detailed examination of the skin. Sometimes it is necessary to do more biopsies by drilling.
The blade in a biopsy by drilling is taken a small round sample of size 2-6 mm in diameter, although the most common sample size for analysis is 3-4 mm.
Sometimes a bandage is needed, and if the wound is small sometimes the wound does not have to be bandaged.
What is a stripping biopsy?
Peeling biopsy can be used if changes in the skin affect the upper layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis).
The dermatologist uses a scalpel to take a very shallow layer of skin from the affected area, Dermablade or razor. No bandages are needed after the biopsy but a small scab will remain that persists for 1-2 weeks.
Is there any other type of biopsy?
There is and here we would single out a biopsy by incision. An incision biopsy is used when a larger skin sample is needed to make an accurate diagnosis. A piece of skin sample with a scalpel blade is taken. A bandage is usually needed.
Key words: skin biopsy, pathohistological laboratory, punch biopsy, bandage
In short: A skin biopsy is a taking of a skin sample surgically. It can be performed in the classic way, by drilling, peeling and notching. A skin sample obtained by biopsy is sent for analysis to a pathohistological laboratory where the correct diagnosis is made.
Did you know: After the biopsy, the skin sample is fixed in special solutions and thin sections. The tissues are cut and placed in microscopic sections. Incisions are painted for PHD examination (usually performed by dermatopathologists or pathologists). Sometimes special dyes are used to test for antibodies, immune proteins and markers of certain diseases. The results (PHD finding) of the initial routine biopsy can be obtained in 48 hours or less while preparations stained with special staining techniques can take a much longer period until the final diagnosis.
For My doctor: Perica Ante dr.med. dermatovenerologist
