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Excisions are small surgeries to remove lesions from the body. They are done to remove a problematic lesion – like skin cancer – or to get a biopsy for laboratory diagnosis.
What is it?
Excisions are a common technique dermatologists use to remove concerning tissue from your skin. They are frequently used to remove cancerous lesions like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. An excision can also be used to remove a benign (non-cancerous) lesion, whether for aesthetic reasons or to reduce discomfort.
When used to collect a tissue sample for lab analysis, an excision is often referred to as a biopsy. If your provider sees a potentially concerning spot during a visual exam, they may perform a biopsy so that our lab can examine your tissue under a microscope. This process helps us diagnose specific skin conditions and will identify whether your cells are benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Biopsies can also help us monitor progression of treatment for specific conditions.
Tissues that might necessitate a biopsy for diagnosis include:
What to expect
Excisions and biopsies start with cleaning the area to be treated. Your provider may apply an anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Your board-certified provider will then remove the concerning tissue from your skin with surgical instruments. Post-procedure home care following an excision is generally straightforward. It typically includes replacing your dressing, sanitizing the impacted area and applying a topical treatment to speed recovery and prevent infection. Our team provides excisions and biopsies in our conveniently located offices serving the communities Batavia, Beavercreek, Bridgetown, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dent, Greenville, Hillsboro, Kettering, Mason, Montgomery, Oxford, Troy, West Chester and Wilmington, Ohio