Skin biopsy

Description:

The biopsy of skin is a procedure at which the sample of tissue of skin is deleted, process and study under a microscope.

Depending on the size and a location of the atypical site of skin which is called skin defeat several various methods of receiving a sample of skin can be applied. The sample of skin is placed in solution, such as formaldehyde, or a sterile container if there is a suspicion of an infection. At each of procedures fabric is processed and then studied under a microscope.

The skin biopsy is carried out most often with the purpose to diagnose a carcinoma cutaneum who suspect if color, a form, the size or a view of the atypical site of skin changes, or it does not begin to live after wound. A carcinoma cutaneum – the most widespread type of cancer.

The early diagnosis of suspicious skin defeat and biopsy of skin can help to reveal a carcinoma cutaneum and to carry out treatment at an early stage.

Indications to a skin biopsy:

The biopsy of skin is carried out to diagnose:

1. Skin diseases (if is not clear, what this disease yet), such as psoriasis.
2. Disease, such as carcinoma cutaneum.
3. Bacterial or fungal skin infection.

How to be prepared for a skin biopsy:

Before carrying out a biopsy of skin, tell the doctor:

- Whether you accept any medical supplies, especially antiinflammatory drugs, such as Prednisonum. Antiinflammatory drugs can change how your biopsy looks under a microscope.
- Do you have an allergy to any drugs.
- Whether you had problems with bleeding and whether you accept the drugs liquefying blood such as aspirin or warfarin (Koumading).
- Whether you are pregnant or you can be pregnant.
- Before passing of this procedure special preparation is not required.

You can ask to sign consent form. Talk to the doctor about everything that disturbs you concerning need of the procedure, its risk as it will be carried out and what will point results to.

Technology of carrying out biopsy of skin:

Depending on the size and a location of skin defeat, several various methods of receiving a sample of skin can be applied. The sample of skin is placed in solution, such as formaldehyde, or a sterile container if there is a suspicion of an infection. At each of procedures fabric then is studied under a microscope.

1. Shaving biopsy. After administration of local anesthesia to cut off an outgrowth, the surgical knife (scalpel) is applied. In seams there is no need. Bleeding can usually be stopped by means of chemical which stops bleeding, or having applied pressing. Then to the place of a biopsy the bandage or a sterile bandage is applied.

2. Puncture biopsy. After administration of local anesthesia, small sharp instrument which reminds the car for formation of cookies (stamp) is located over skin defeat, is pressed and slowly rotates to remove a round piece of skin. The sample of skin rises by means of the tool which is called nippers, or needles, and is cut off, from the fabric located below. Seams can not be necessary if a sample of skin small. If a sample of skin big, one can be necessary or two seams. To a stop of bleeding pressing is applied. Then the bandage or a sterile bandage is applied a wound.

3. Section. After administration of local anesthesia, the piece of skin defeat is removed by means of a scalpel. To close a wound, seams are applied. To a stop of bleeding pressing is applied. Then the bandage or a sterile bandage is applied a wound.

4. Removal. After administration of local anesthesia, all defeat is removed by means of a scalpel. To close a wound, seams are applied. To a stop of bleeding pressing is applied. Then the bandage or a sterile bandage is applied a wound. If the big site of skin is removed, skin transplantation can be necessary. If cancer is found, further operation can be necessary.

After a skin biopsy:

Your doctor will make to you special recommendations how to look after the venue of a biopsy. The venue of a biopsy has to be pure and dry before full healing.

Seams will be removed for 3 – 14 day after a biopsy, depending on the place of its carrying out. The adhesive bandage has to remain on site, yet will not disappear. It usually takes 7 – 14 days.

The venue of a biopsy can be inflamed or bleed within several days a little. Ask the doctor as bleeding or another separated is expected much. Immediately see a doctor if:

- You have an excessive bleeding or a discharge through a bandage. If excessive bleeding opens, apply pressing on the venue of a biopsy and contact your doctor.
- The increased morbidity, pain, reddening or a swelling in the venue of a biopsy.
- Fever.

Results of a biopsy of skin:

The biopsy of skin is a procedure at which the sample of tissue of skin is deleted, process and study under a microscope.

Results of a biopsy of skin are usually ready in 3 – 10 days.

Norm: The sample of skin consists of normal tissue of skin.

Atypia:
1. Not cancer (high-quality) educations are visible. High-quality educations do not contain cancer cells. Birthmarks, papillomas, warts, a seborrheal keratosis, keloids, papillary ectasias, and also benign tumors of skin, such as neurofibromas and deratofibromas belong to high-quality skin changes.

2. There are cancer cells, such as bazalnokletochny cancer, planocellular cancer or a melanoma.

3. There are other diseases, such as a lupus, psoriasis or a vasculitis.

4. There is a bacterial or fungal infection.

What influences result of a biopsy of skin:

Reception of medical supplies, such as the antiinflammatory drugs, drugs used at fungal infections (antifungal), and also corticosteroid skin creams can influence the analysis or accuracy of results.