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Skin Biopsy

Test Overview

A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope.

Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the abnormal area of skin, called a 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 processed and then examined under a microscope.

Skin biopsies most often are done to diagnose skin cancer, which may be suspected when an abnormal area of skin has changed color, shape, size, or appearance or has not healed after an injury. Skin cancers are the most common type of cancers.

Early diagnosis of a suspicious skin lesion and skin biopsy can help identify skin cancers and lead to early treatment.

Why It Is Done

A skin biopsy is done to diagnose a:

  • Skin condition (if it is not already clear what the condition is), such as psoriasis.
  • Disease, such as skin cancer.
  • Bacterial or fungal skin infection.

How To Prepare

Before a skin biopsy, tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking any medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone. Anti-inflammatory medicines may change the way your biopsy looks under the microscope.
  • Are allergic to any medicines.
  • Have had any bleeding problems or are taking blood-thinning medicines, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).
  • Are or might be pregnant.

No special preparation is needed before having this test.

You may be asked to sign a consent form. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risk, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

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.

Results

A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope.

Results from a skin biopsy usually are available in 3 to 10 days.

Skin biopsy
Normal:

The skin sample consists of normal skin tissue.
Abnormal:

Noncancerous (benign) growths are seen. Benign growths do not contain cancer cells. Benign skin changes include moles, skin tags, warts, seborrheic keratoses, keloids, cherry angiomas, and benign skin tumors, such as neurofibromas or dermatofibromas.

Cancer cells such as basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, or melanoma are present.

Other diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, or vasculitis are present.

A bacterial or fungal infection is present.

 

Your doctor will talk with you about any abnormal results that may be related to your symptoms and past health.

What Affects the Test

Taking medicines, such as anti-inflammatory medicines, those used for fungal infections (antifungal medicines), and corticosteroid skin creams, can interfere with your test or the accuracy of the results.

What To Think About

  • If the biopsy contains cancer cells, more surgery will be needed to remove the cancer completely.
  • If the biopsy is done on your face, you may want to have it done by a doctor who specializes in surgical techniques that can minimize scarring, such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
  • Further testing may be needed if:
    • A small biopsy does not contain enough cells to make an accurate diagnosis.
    • Cells from the abnormal area weren't included in the sample.

References

Other Works Consulted

  • Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
  • Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Revised March 28, 2011

Last Revised: March 28, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology

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