What is the purpose of skin biopsy?
The word biopsy is taken from Greek words that mean “to view life.” The term describes what a specialist in identifying diseases (pathologist) does with tissue obtained from a skin biopsy. The pathologist visually examines the tissue under a microscope. A skin biopsy is used to make a diagnosis of many skin disorders. Information from the biopsy also helps the doctor choose the best treatment for the patient. Doctors perform skin biopsies to: • make a diagnosis • confirm a diagnosis made from the patient’s medical history and a physical examination • check whether a treatment prescribed for a previously diagnosed condition is working • check the edges of tissue removed with a tumor to make certain it contains all the diseased tissue Skin biopsies also can serve a therapeutic purpose. Many skin abnormalities (lesions) can be removed completely during the biopsy procedure. Source: The Gale Group.
