Skin Biopsy

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and early detection and treatment is the best way to cure the disease. The experienced team at Auburn Medical Group in Auburn, California, provides punch and shave biopsies to screen for cancer.  Common pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) can be treated in office with precise cyrotherapy.  If you notice any abnormal changes in your skin, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a skin biopsy?

A skin biopsy is a minor procedure in which the team at Auburn Medical Group takes a sample of soft tissue and sends it to a lab for analysis. Technicians can test the tissue sample and determine if it’s a skin cancer that requires treatment. 

Early detection and treatment is the best way to eliminate skin cancer before it becomes a more serious problem.

What are the symptoms of skin cancer?

Symptoms you may experience with skin cancer include:

• Bleeding or scabbed sores
• New or unusual skin spots
• Waxy or pearly bumps
• Firm red nodules
• Flat, scaly, or crusted lesions
• Large spots with dark specks
• Dark-colored moles
• Moles that change in appearance
• Moles with irregular borders
• Painful, itching, or burning lesions
• Red, pink, white, blue, or black moles

See the team at Auburn Medical Group at the first sign of skin lesions that change in size, color, texture, or overall appearance.

What should I expect during a skin biopsy?

The team lets you know if you’re a candidate for a skin biopsy after discussing your symptoms and medical history and evaluating your skin in problem areas. If they have concerns about new or abnormal-looking lesions on your skin, they may recommend a punch or shave biopsy.

Before a skin biopsy, the team numbs your skin at the treatment site to eliminate discomfort. Then, depending on the type of biopsy you need, they use special tools to obtain the sample.  

A punch biopsy involves a hollow, circular scalpel to remove deep layers of skin. With a shave biopsy, the team uses a razor-like tool to scrape the surface of your skin. Stitches may be necessary to close your wound after a punch biopsy, but a shave biopsy typically doesn’t require stitches. After obtaining the sample, the team sends the tissue to a lab for analysis. 

What happens after a skin biopsy?

Once the team receives the result of your skin biopsy, they let you know the next steps. If you have skin cancer, you may need additional procedures, which may include radiation therapy, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, or other cancer treatments to eliminate the cancerous cells and reduce the risk of more serious problems.

Call Auburn Medical Group or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about skin biopsies.