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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between excisional and incisional biopsy?

A BIOPSY is when an area of tissue is removed so that it can be examined.

Most biopsies are incisional – only part of the lesion, such as a tumour, is cut out so that it can be used for diagnosis.

After an incisional biopsy, patients often have to return to have either the lesion fully removed or treated.

An excisional biopsy is when the entire tumour or area of tissue that is causing concern is removed.

If the lesion is a suspected melanoma skin cancer, surgeons will usually opt for an excisional biopsy to remove all of it in one go.

The advantage of this is that the diagnosis and treatment can be done together.

Both types of procedure are usually performed under local anaesthetic.

Health

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2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

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