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Skin BiopsyPunch Biopsy
Shave/Scoop Biopsy
Excisional BiopsyAn excisional biopsy may be performed if the mole is large or if the results of your punch or shave biopsy show suspicious precancerous or cancerous cells. In this kind of biopsy, the entire width and depth of the suspicious area is removed, along with a small amount of tissue from all sides. These “margins” are removed to make sure that no suspicious cells remain. The wound is closed with stitches, and the amount of scarring depends on the size and location of the incision. |
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A punch biopsy involves using a special instrument to cut out a
cylinder-shaped piece of skin. This procedure leaves a small hole
in the skin that is then closed with stitches. It leaves a scar that
is either a line or football-shaped. Punch biopsies can remove the
entire depth of a mole, but they are difficult to use in certain
locations, such as where bone is close to the skin (e.g., on a knuckle
or elbow). In order for a punch biopsy to be performed, the mole must
be small enough to fit in the punch biopsy instrument. Some moles are
too big to be completely removed by the punch biopsy method. These
moles may be only partially sampled, removed by a shave biopsy, or
surgically excised.
In a shave/scoop biopsy, a health-care provider cuts off a small spoon-shaped
piece of skin using a scalpel or blade. The resulting wound is not closed with
stitches, and has a tendency to leave a chickenpox-like scar. Shave biopsies
may not remove the full depth of a mole, but are frequently used when the
growth is greater than 4-5 mm in diameter.