If you have a suspicious area that might be skin cancer, a skin biopsy may be necessary. This will remove the area of concern to be sent to a lab to be looked at under a microscope. If the procedure removes the entire tumor, it’s often enough to cure basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Further treatment may not be necessary.
There are different types of skin biopsies. The doctor will choose one based on the suspected type of skin cancer, where it is on your body, its size, and other factors. Any biopsy will probably leave at least a small scar. Different methods can result in different scars. If this is a concern, ask your doctor about possible scarring before the biopsy is done.
They are done using a local anesthetic (numbing medicine), which is injected into the area with a very small needle. You will probably feel a small prick and a little stinging as the medicine is injected. You should not feel any pain during the biopsy.
Shave Biopsy: For a shave biopsy, the doctor shaves off the top layers of the skin with a small surgical blade. Bleeding from the biopsy site is then stopped by applying an ointment or a chemical that stops bleeding. A small electrical current to cauterize the wound may also be used.
Punch Biopsy: For a punch biopsy, the doctor uses a tool that looks like a tiny round cookie cutter to remove a deeper sample of skin. The doctor rotates the punch biopsy tool on the skin until it cuts through all the layers of the skin. The sample is removed and the edges of the biopsy site are often stitched together.