Shave of Punch Biopsy

Shave biopsies are fine if they get the whole depth of the lesion, which in your case it sounds like they did, so 0.23mm is your depth and that's it. I had a shave biopsy as well, got the whole depth, never worried about it. They are an issue if it cuts through the lesion. No need to worry about that now though 🙂

Shave biopsies are fine if they get the whole depth of the lesion, which in your case it sounds like they did, so 0.23mm is your depth and that's it. I had a shave biopsy as well, got the whole depth, never worried about it. They are an issue if it cuts through the lesion. No need to worry about that now though 🙂

Shave biopsies are fine if they get the whole depth of the lesion, which in your case it sounds like they did, so 0.23mm is your depth and that's it. I had a shave biopsy as well, got the whole depth, never worried about it. They are an issue if it cuts through the lesion. No need to worry about that now though 🙂

A shave biopsy is not unusual when a lesion is suspicious but not obviously a melanoma. Excisional biopsies are the gold standard of course, but are also a more significant procedure with somewhat more risk of complications. I have often requested a "modified" shave procedure which is very effective for smaller and "early" lesions. The modified shave takes a deeper scoop but is still small enough to not require stitches and preserves tissue that would be removed in an excisional biopsy. In the case of an relatively large and obviously likely positive dx of any type of skin cancer, an excisional biopsy should be the best choice. I personally do not like punch biopsies. I prefer a deep shave of the entire margins so the pathologist can evaluate the entire lesion. However, some lesions, especially a suspected nodular mm should be excised as completely as possible because they have a vertical growth component from the get go. Also I have no problems with anyone who prefers to err on the safe side and prefer excisional biopsies especially  for patients with a frequent history of positive biopsies, As a general statement, any biopsy is MUCH better than no biopsy,  But shave, modified shave and excisional all can be effective when used properly based on the type, size and location of the lesion. Clear borders is an excellent result in your case and the shave technique minimized tissue loss, scars and risk of infection. Thats a win/win for you!

A shave biopsy is not unusual when a lesion is suspicious but not obviously a melanoma. Excisional biopsies are the gold standard of course, but are also a more significant procedure with somewhat more risk of complications. I have often requested a "modified" shave procedure which is very effective for smaller and "early" lesions. The modified shave takes a deeper scoop but is still small enough to not require stitches and preserves tissue that would be removed in an excisional biopsy. In the case of an relatively large and obviously likely positive dx of any type of skin cancer, an excisional biopsy should be the best choice. I personally do not like punch biopsies. I prefer a deep shave of the entire margins so the pathologist can evaluate the entire lesion. However, some lesions, especially a suspected nodular mm should be excised as completely as possible because they have a vertical growth component from the get go. Also I have no problems with anyone who prefers to err on the safe side and prefer excisional biopsies especially  for patients with a frequent history of positive biopsies, As a general statement, any biopsy is MUCH better than no biopsy,  But shave, modified shave and excisional all can be effective when used properly based on the type, size and location of the lesion. Clear borders is an excellent result in your case and the shave technique minimized tissue loss, scars and risk of infection. Thats a win/win for you!

A shave biopsy is not unusual when a lesion is suspicious but not obviously a melanoma. Excisional biopsies are the gold standard of course, but are also a more significant procedure with somewhat more risk of complications. I have often requested a "modified" shave procedure which is very effective for smaller and "early" lesions. The modified shave takes a deeper scoop but is still small enough to not require stitches and preserves tissue that would be removed in an excisional biopsy. In the case of an relatively large and obviously likely positive dx of any type of skin cancer, an excisional biopsy should be the best choice. I personally do not like punch biopsies. I prefer a deep shave of the entire margins so the pathologist can evaluate the entire lesion. However, some lesions, especially a suspected nodular mm should be excised as completely as possible because they have a vertical growth component from the get go. Also I have no problems with anyone who prefers to err on the safe side and prefer excisional biopsies especially  for patients with a frequent history of positive biopsies, As a general statement, any biopsy is MUCH better than no biopsy,  But shave, modified shave and excisional all can be effective when used properly based on the type, size and location of the lesion. Clear borders is an excellent result in your case and the shave technique minimized tissue loss, scars and risk of infection. Thats a win/win for you!