Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biopsy

Skin Biopsy

Skin biopsy definition,
is the process of sending a piece of skin to a pathologist for microscopic diagnosis.

After the dermatologist’s examination, a skin biopsy is performed if the clinical diagnosis of skin disease is not completely certain or if the possibility of a skin tumor is considered.

In which diseases is a biopsy performed?

• Skin cancers
• Bullous diseases
• Inflammatory skin diseases (such as psoriasis)
• Suspicious moles

Skin Biopsy Types

• 
  Shave biopsy
  In this biopsy, a superficial piece is taken with the tip of a razor blade or scalpel, passing tangentially over the surface of the skin bump.
• 
  Punch biopsy,
  With a pen-shaped instrument with a small circular sharp tip, a piece is removed down to the superficial fatty tissue. Can be stitched.
• 
  Excisional biopsy,
  It is removed by cutting a large piece of skin with a scalpel. Stitching is always done.

What are the Stages of Skin Biopsy Procedure?

After injection of a local anesthetic into the area where the piece will be taken, the procedure is completed by removing a piece of skin and suturing if necessary. The application is painless because it is anesthetized. The depth of biopsies varies according to the disease. Mostly superficial adipose tissue is removed.

The result of the fragment sent to the pathologist will be available in 4-7 days. In cases requiring special dyeing, this may take up to 2-3 weeks.

What are the Risks of Skin Biopsy?

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Infection
• Allergic reaction
• Leave no trace

All biopsies performed by cutting will leave a small scar. These scars, which may be mostly in the form of lines, may later result in hard swelling in some sensitive people.

What Should Be Considered After Skin Biopsy?

Exercise, showering, swimming, stretching and weight lifting should be avoided for 2 days after skin biopsy. It is necessary to keep the band-aid on the suture dry. Change the band-aid the day after the biopsy. Stitches should be removed in 4-10 days depending on the area where the biopsy was taken.