Health Library Home>Medical Animations>Article

Punch Biopsy

Transcript

Doctors usually perform a punch biopsy for deeper skin lesions.

Your doctor will rotate a circular, hollow blade around the lesion until it cuts completely through the epidermis and dermis.

He or she will remove a small cylinder of skin, usually smaller than the size of a pencil eraser, containing all layers of the skin and lesion.

Depending on the size of the sample, the area may or may not be closed with stitches.

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2681
732-235-CINJ (2465)

The information contained in this website is not a substitute for medical consultation. A physician should always be consulted for any health problem or medical condition.