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A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope.
Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the abnormal area of skin, called a skin lesion. The skin sample is placed in a solution, such as formaldehyde, or in a sterile container if infection is suspected. In each of these procedures, the tissue is processed and then examined under a microscope.
Skin biopsies most often are done to diagnose skin cancer, which may be suspected when an abnormal area of skin has changed color 
, shape , size, or appearance or has not healed after an injury. Skin cancers are the most common type of cancers.
Early diagnosis of a suspicious skin lesion and skin biopsy can help identify skin cancers and lead to early treatment.
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| Last updated: | April 26, 2007 |
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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