A skin biopsy is a medical procedure in which a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken for further examination in a laboratory. This method allows you to establish a diagnosis, select the most effective treatment and monitor its results.
The procedure is carried out under the supervision of specialists and under sterile conditions. This guarantees safety and a minimum of discomfort for the patient.
Biopsy - what is it?
A biopsy is a test in which a doctor takes a small sample of tissue for microscopic analysis. Why is a biopsy taken? This procedure allows you to obtain detailed information about the condition of the skin. It is carried out if it is impossible to clarify the condition using an external examination or other research methods.
This method plays a special role in the diagnosis of skin cancer. In some cases, a biopsy is performed on the mole to help ensure that it is not cancerous.
Process
How is a skin biopsy done? The process includes several stages. First, the doctor selects a place to collect the material. This may be an area of skin that causes some suspicion, or a place that causes discomfort.
After this, the specialist applies local anesthesia and carries out the collection. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is examined under a microscope. This allows the doctor to see what is happening inside the skin at the cellular level and make an accurate diagnosis.
Varieties of procedure
There are different types of biopsies, and the choice of a particular type depends on many factors, including the location and nature of the skin lesion, the patient's age and general health. At the K+31 clinic we offer the following types of procedures:
- Excisional biopsy. The doctor completely removes the suspicious formation along with a small amount of healthy tissue around it. This method is used if the doctor suspects melanoma or another type of cancer.
- Incisional biopsy. During this test, the specialist makes a small incision and removes only part of the suspicious area. Incisional biopsy is used if the skin lesion is too large to be completely removed.
- Punch biopsy. This is a special type of test in which a special instrument is used to obtain a circular sample of skin. Punch biopsy can be used to diagnose various types of skin diseases, including cancer.
The doctor selects the appropriate type of examination after collecting anamnesis and obtaining test data.
Histological examination: what is it and why is it needed?
Histological examination is the examination of body tissues under a microscope. This is a key step after the biopsy, which allows us to establish the nature of the disease. For example, skin histology makes it possible to detect cancer cells, infectious agents, inflammatory processes and other pathologies. It is the results of the biopsy analysis that are decisive in making a diagnosis.
Indications for use
The main indications for the study are suspicious changes in the skin, which are combined with other specific symptoms. It could be:
- Unknown skin lesion.
- Changing the appearance or size of moles.
- New skin growths (especially if they grow or change quickly).
The procedure is often prescribed in the presence of formations that are constantly injured and any suspicion of oncology.
