What is a 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 skin cancer, skin infections, or skin disorders such as psoriasis.
There are three main ways to do a skin biopsy:
A punch biopsy, which uses a special circular tool to remove the sample.
A shave biopsy, which removes the sample with a razor blade
An excisional biopsy, which removes the sample with small knife called a scalpel.
The type of biopsy you get depends on the location and size of the abnormal area of skin, known as a skin lesion. Most skin biopsies can be done in a health care provider's office or other outpatient facility.
Other names: punch biopsy, shave biopsy, excisional biopsy, skin cancer biopsy, basal cell biopsy, squamous cell biopsy, melanoma biopsy
