A biopsy is a small sample taken from a suspicious spot and sent to a laboratory, where a specialist pathologist examines it under a microscope. It is the next step after clinical assessment, providing additional information with a small procedure.

Removing an entire lesion gives the most complete specimen a pathologist can have. It is also a larger procedure, with stitches, a longer wound and a linear scar.
So where we can, we take a small sample first and confirm our suspicion before recommending anything larger. 

In some lesions the important microscopic structures are spread unevenly, so a small sample can miss them and give a falsely reassuring answer.
Basal cell carcinomas are generally even in composition, and a partial sample represents them well. Melanomas may not be. Where the pattern under dermoscopy, the site, and our experience tell us a partial sample would be unreliable - we will recommend a larger procedure and explain the reasons.

Most "sample" biopsies are done at the same appointment as your skin check, depending on where the lesion is and how large it is. You will not usually need to come back for a second visit just to have the sample taken.

1. Your doctor explains what is being sampled and why.
2. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area.  
3. The sample is taken. Some biopsies require a couple of sutures.
4. The area is dressed.  
5. The specimen goes to the laboratory.

This is the question we are asked most, and frankly, no one likes having injections. We use specific techniques and anaesthetic mixtures to reduce the sting of the local anaesthetic, which is the part people actually feel. Most patients tell us it hurts less than a routine vaccination.
Tell our doctor when you arrive if you have had a bad experience before.

A biopsy answers more than "is it cancer". The report may tell us:

• whether cancer cells are present;
• which type of skin cancer it is, and which subtype;
• how deep it has grown;

A superficial, early, low-risk cancer may be treated without surgery, while depth or an aggressive subtype changes the recommendation. This is why we biopsy before treating, rather than treating on appearance alone. About our treatments →

Our doctors perform biopsies on site in more than 99% of cases. A small number of sites are better handled under special environments  (eg. the edge of an eyelid). 

Occasionally we encounter individuals who might have multiple suspicious lesions requiring biopsy and assessment. We will triage these lesion biopsies, performing up to 3 biopsies at a time.
​​​​​​​Skin cancer and sun damaged skin is similar to many other illnesses, we will only be able to restore health over a period of time and multiple visits.

Pathology result takes 10 days to two weeks, and occasionally up to three or four weeks where a specimen goes through extended processing.
We will contact you about your result either way. How results are given →

Where the biopsy is performed at the same visit as the skin check consultation, there is no additional out-of-pocket gap for biopsies.