Shave biopsy is a

biopsy A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist. The process involves extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a diseas ...

procedure in which a skin abnormality and a thin layer of surrounding skin are removed with a small blade for examination under a

microscope A microscope () is a laboratory instrument used to examine objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a microscope. Microscopic means being invisibl ...

. Shave biopsies are not effective in treating melanomas, but can provide a reasonably safe and accurate initial diagnosis.

Surgical sutures A surgical suture, also known as a stitch or stitches, is a medical device used to hold body tissues together and approximate wound edges after an injury or surgery. Application generally involves using a needle with an attached length of threa ...

are not needed with this procedure.

References

External links

Shave biopsy
entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms Biopsy {{Oncology-stub