Excisions & Biopsies

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 skin biopsy for laboratory diagnosis.

What is it?

In the field of dermatology, excisions are frequently utilized to eliminate lesions from your skin by entirely removing them. These removals are typically performed to get rid of unwanted or potentially harmful lesions. Lesions that fall into the hazardous category include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. Alternatively, an excision might be performed to remove a benign (non-cancerous) lesion for aesthetic purposes or to alleviate irritation.

When an excision is performed to secure a tissue sample for laboratory examination, it's commonly known as a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure that involves removing a tissue sample from your body for microscopic analysis. This diagnostic technique is commonly used to determine the characteristics of skin anomalies such as moles, lesions, rashes, or growths that could indicate skin disorders, allergies, infections or cancer. It can also be an effective way to monitor the progress of treatment for certain conditions. Our team of board-certified dermatologists promptly communicates with patients as soon as the lab diagnosis is completed, reducing the waiting time.

All kinds of excisions are performed at our dermatology clinics located in Dublin, Columbus, Canal Winchester, Urbana, Circleville, Washington Courthouse, Grove City and Marysville, Ohio. Patients are given local anesthesia in the area to minimize discomfort and are able to return home immediately after a bandage is applied.

We are aware of the stress that any excision procedure can cause and that's why we strive to provide a calm and supportive environment at our clinics. After the excision procedure is completed, your tissue sample is sent to our in-house pathology lab for microscopic examination. The lab at Dermatologist of Greater Columbus is fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists, signifying that it upholds the highest standards for quality and precision.

Types of growths that may require a biopsy for diagnosis include:

Moles
Warts
Cysts
Actinic keratosis
Skin cancers
Skin infections
Skin tags
Bullous pemphigoid
Inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis

What to expect

Aftercare at home following an excision is usually uncomplicated and straight to the point. A member from our team will provide you with guidelines to adhere to in the days following your procedure. This often involves replacing your dressing, sanitizing the impacted region and using a surface remedy to speed recovery and deter infection.

Our team of board-certified are highly experienced in performing this type of procedure and are committed to ensuring that your recovery process is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

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