When irregularities in your skin, such as abnormal-looking moles, are cause for concern, Toni Trate, MD, offers in-office skin biopsy diagnostics to give you peace of mind. At her Farmington Hills, Michigan, family practice, Dr. Toni Trate and her experienced staff provide comprehensive support and guidance before, during, and after a skin biopsy. They also offer customized treatment plans to effectively manage a variety of chronic skin conditions, including psoriasis, infections, or cancer. Book a consultation online or by phone to learn more about scheduling a skin biopsy.
A skin biopsy is a diagnostic test that involves collecting a sample of skin cells for further analysis. Dr. Trate may recommend a skin biopsy if she detects abnormalities in your skin or moles that may indicate a skin condition, such as:
A skin biopsy can also determine if you have a basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, two common types of skin cancer that affect the outermost layer of your skin.
Dr. Trate performs a skin biopsy in a comfortable office environment. She first numbs the area being biopsied with a topical cream to keep you comfortable.
Depending on the nature of the test, she may scrape off pieces of the surface layer of skin or use a specialized tool to remove deeper skin layers for further evaluation. If Dr. Trate is performing a biopsy on an abnormal mole, she removes it completely using a surgical knife.
Dr. Trate sends the skin sample to a medical laboratory for further examination under a microscope. It may take several days for the results to come back for her review.
If the skin sample is benign and shows no signs of cancer, your test is considered normal. If Dr. Trate determines any abnormalities are present, she may request further testing or suggest removing additional areas of skin that remain after the initial biopsy.
Following the procedure, you can expect the area Dr. Trate biopsied to be tender for a day or two. You may also experience light bleeding.
If the biopsy requires removal of deeper layers of skin, you may have sutures that Dr. Trate checks during your follow-up appointment.
You need to keep the treatment area clean and dry and report any drainage, excess swelling, or pain to Dr. Trate’s office as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate an infection that needs immediate treatment.
Find out more about in-office skin biopsy procedures by calling the Farmington Hills family practice office or using the online booking feature.
*Individual results may vary.
