Published on Roswell Park Cancer Institute (http://www.roswellpark.org)

Imaging & Biopsy

In determining whether a suspicious lesion, bump or affected area is cancer, doctors will take a biopsy — removing all or part of the abnormal area — and send it to our dermatopathologists for examination and testing. For suspected non-melanoma skin cancers, your physician will likely do one of the following procedures:

  • Shave biopsy – abnormal growth is shaved off with a sharp blade
  • Punch biopsy – a sharp, hollow device removes a small but deep sample of tissue
  • Incisional biopsy – only a piece of the lesion is removed
  • Excisional biopsy – the entire mole or growth and some tissue around it is removed with a scalpel

Other Tests

Basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other places in the body. However, squamous cell carcinoma may spread to lymph nodes and other organs. You’ll have additional blood tests and imaging to learn whether the cancer has grown deeper in the skin, spread to lymph nodes, or other parts of the body. Whether or not cancer is found in these areas helps determine the stage of your cancer. These additional tests may include:

Source URL (retrieved on 05/23/2013 - 9:53pm): http://www.roswellpark.org/cancer/skin/diagnosis