What is a Biopsy?

Pigmented Nevus.
Actinic Keratosis.
Basal Cell Carcinoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Sebaceous cyst.
Carbuncle.
Furuncle.
Inclusion cyst.

The biopsy procedure if the staff at re*be decides it is necessary is done under local anesthesia or with no anesthesia. A small punch biopsy tool that looks like a tiny cookie cutter is used to remove a small amount of the abnormal skin. This skin is sent into the lap where a pathologist looks under the microscope to determine better what is wrong. Often treatment can be better planned when a more accurate diagnosis is obtained. The biopsy usually heals with no scar or a small scar. On occasion the simple act of taking a biopsy will alert the immune system that something is wrong and will cause the abnormality to heal. The biopsy is not always the final perfect way to determine what to do next difficult skin lesions but can be a big help. Infection from a biopsy is uncommon and generally if the wound is kept clean it will heal with a minimum of discomfort, little or no scarring and little chance of infection.