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A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope. Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the abnormal area of skin, called a skin lesion.

Excision is a simple procedure done to remove growths such as lesions, tumors, and moles on the skin. The growth is removed with a sharp razor and soothed with antibiotic ointment to encourage healing. Sometimes an electrode is used to “feather” the edges and make the scar less noticeable.

A wide excision is a surgical procedure to remove a small area of diseased or problematic tissue with a margin of normal tissue. This procedure is commonly performed on the breast and to skin lesions, but can be used on any area of the body.

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

A port is a small disc made of plastic or metal about the size of a quarter that sits just under the skin. A soft thin tube called a catheter connects the port to a large vein. Your chemotherapy medicines are given through a special needle that fits right into the port. You also can have blood drawn through the port.

Fluoroscopy is a study of moving body structures–similar to an X-ray “movie.” A continuous X-ray beam is passed through the body part being examined. The beam is transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail.