Diagnostic Testing for Skin Disorders
4 Reasons for a Punch Biopsy Test
A punch biopsy is one of the most comprehensive diagnostics tools to test for a variety of skin disorders. It’s especially effective because it provides a full-thickness skin specimen. During a punch biopsy, a small, round piece of tissue about the size of a pencil eraser is removed from a patient using a sharp, circular instrument. This tissue sample, which includes the epidermis, dermis, and superficial fat layers, is examined for signs of disease. Here are just four reasons that a punch biopsy might be necessary from Next Genomix Laboratories.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. This cancer develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to your skin. In order to determine if a mole or growth on the skin is melanoma, a punch biopsy is often employed. If the suspicious skin lesion in question is small enough, it’s sometimes possible to remove the entire growth with a punch biopsy — but not always. The biopsy of the melanoma will determine the stage or extent of the skin cancer.
Benign Growth
Benign growths can appear on a person’s skin for a variety of reasons — from sun exposure to hormonal changes. Punch biopsy tests are frequently used to determine the nature of benign growths. The results of such a test will help determine if the growth is cancerous. If you have several benign growths, your doctor may recommend that you have annual tests done to monitor them for cancer.
Inflammatory Lesions
Inflammatory lesions on the skin generally appear as small red bumps (papules), pustules, nodules, and pseudocysts. This is common in individuals suffering from acne. While most cases of acne can be treated without much cause for alarm, sometimes a doctor may determine that a punch biopsy is necessary, especially if a person’s lesions appear questionable. A punch biopsy for inflammatory lesions provides a full-thickness skin sample and can help determine if inflammatory lesions are benign or malignant in nature.
Chronic Skin Disorders
In some cases, chronic skin disorders can be diagnosed more accurately with a punch biopsy. These chronic skin disorders include acne, boils, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and vitiligo. These punch biopsies can be taken in a doctor’s office, do not require any hospitalization, and only take about 15 minutes to perform. Many of these skin conditions require microscopic investigation to determine their severity, and punch biopsies provide ample tissue for these studies.
Next Genomix Laboratories is able to help medical offices with punch biopsies. We have the tools, knowledge, experience, and industry-leading equipment to ensure that punch biopsies are carried out carefully and yield accurate results. Contact us today to learn more!