A skin biopsy is a procedure where a small piece of your skin is removed to be examined under a microscope. This helps diagnose various skin issues like cancer, infections, or inflammations. There are four main types:
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Punch Biopsy: removes a small, deep sample with a round tool, good for suspicious lesions.
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Shave Biopsy: uses a scalpel to remove a thin layer, suitable for growths on the surface.
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Excisional Biopsy: removes the entire growth and some surrounding tissue, used for larger or potentially cancerous lesions.
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Incisional Biopsy: removes a part of a larger growth for examination. The type of biopsy chosen depends on the size, location, and depth of the issue.