Excision biopsy

An excision biopsy involves removing a lesion in its entirety, often with a small margin of normal skin, and closing the wound with stitches. It is one of the most common procedures used to diagnose and treat moles, cysts and suspected skin cancers.

When excision biopsy is recommended

Excision biopsy is often chosen for:

• Suspicious or changing moles where melanoma is a concern
• Confirmed or suspected basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
• Deep cysts and lipomas
• Lesions where a complete specimen is required for diagnosis

The procedure

After cleaning the area and administering local anaesthetic, the lesion is removed using a scalpel with an appropriate margin of surrounding skin. The underlying tissue may also be shaped to help achieve a neat closure. The wound is then closed with stitches which are removed after a set period depending on the site.

The specimen is sent to the pathology laboratory, where a specialist examines it to confirm the diagnosis and assess whether it has been fully removed.

Healing, scarring and follow up

Some tightness or mild discomfort can be expected in the first few days. Following wound care advice helps reduce the risk of infection and supports a good cosmetic result. All excisions leave a scar, which usually fades over time.

Depending on the pathology result, further treatment such as a wide local excision or long term skin surveillance may be advised.

If you have been recommended an excision biopsy and would like more information, please get in touch via the contact page.