Your doctor will remove all or part of the area that doesn't look normal. The sample goes to a lab, where a pathologist checks the sample under a microscope. This is called a biopsy – the only sure way to diagnose skin cancer.

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You may have the biopsy in a doctor's office or as an outpatient in a clinic or hospital. Where it's done depends on the size and place of the abnormal area on your skin. You probably will have local anaesthesia.

There are four common types of skin biopsies:

• Punch biopsy: The doctor uses a sharp, hollow tool to remove a circle of tissue from the abnormal area.
• Incisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove part of the growth.
• Excisional biopsy: The doctor uses a scalpel to remove the entire growth and some tissue around it.
• Shave biopsy: The doctor uses a thin, sharp blade to shave off the abnormal growth.

You may want to ask your doctor these questions before having a biopsy:

• Which type of biopsy do you recommend for me?
• How will the biopsy be done?
• Will I have to go to the hospital?
• How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
• Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the biopsy?
• What will my scar look like?
• How soon will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?

- (US National Cancer Institute, November 2007)
 

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