Question 1

what is the difference between an excisional and incisional biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Type of surgery: An incisional biopsy cuts out a piece of the tumor but does not remove it completely.  An excisional biopsy removes the entire tumor which can them be studied in the laboratory.

Question 2

if a tongue lesion(1cm)is biopsized using incisional biopsy,is there risk of spreading cancer(if infact pathology showed cancer)? or is it better to do excisional biopsy?which one carries risk of spreading cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor: A your age, the likelihood of cancer is low. While in general excision biopsy is better, but one does not need to lose more tissue than is medically necessary. Talk to your doctor to come to a shared decision.
Wish you good health!

Question 3

anyone ever heard of doing an incisional biopsy to diagnose skin rash?

Accepted Answer

Punch biopsy: Punch biopsy is considered the primary technique to obtain diagnostic, full-thickness skin specimens. It is performed using a circular blade or trephine attached to a pencil-like handle. The instrument is rotated down through the epidermis and dermis, and into the subcutaneous fat. The punch biopsy yields a cylindrical core of tissue that must be gently handled (usually with a needle).

Question 4

incisional biopsy- does a mole that was picked off, but needed biopsy, have to wait for wound to heal before a biopsy can be done?

Accepted Answer

No: The biopsy or re-excision can be done any time. You do not need to wait for the area to heal. You should go see a dermatologist or a primary care doctor who can check you and excise this area if there is any suspicion of melanoma in your case.

Question 5

what is the treatment for a persistant chronic painful tongue lesion that turned out (after incisional biopsy) to be chronic inflammatory infiltrate?is there any treatment?

Accepted Answer

Tongue lesion: Would consider follow up with  rheumatologist to check for autoimmune process, lupus and Behcets can be associated with oral lesions. Colchicine helps in Behcets but f/u/ w/ rheumatology

Question 6

a doctor is recommending an incisional biopsy for primary acquired melanosis. ive read that could be dangerous if cancer is present because it can cause the cancer to spread. is that a concern?

Accepted Answer

: Yes. An excisional biopsy that removed the whole lesion would be preferable and provide optimal specimen for the pathologist to provide  a diagnostic opinion.
Wish you good health!

Question 7

had an incisional biopsy of the right breast three weeks ago and the lump removed was benign.there is now a lump above the scar.is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Scar: If the lump is skin color it can be a keloid. If not it may be a hematoma or blood collection from the incision, you may want to show it to your surgeon.

Question 8

swollen lymph node over 5 months with atypical cells diagnosed by needle biopsy. no other symptoms. how likely will incisional biopsy find cancer?

Accepted Answer

Possible: Needle biopsy is considered insuficent to establish a diagnosis of lymphoma.  A 5 month hisotry of swollen lymph nodes with atypical cells seen on FNA warrents an excisional biopsy as this is likly lymphoma.

Question 9

is a tongue punch biopsy as painful as an incisional biopsy?does it cause tongue swelling and difficulty speaking and eating?and is it helpful in diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The same: A punch biopsy and an incisional biopsy are two ways to take out similar type of tissue. There should be no specific difference from either procedure. You may have a few days of swelling and or difficulty speaking and eating.  Similar to like biting your tongue.

Question 10

hi doc, undergo an incisional biopsy breast surgery and the result of my lump is benign, but after 2 weeks of surgery my breast is still in pain? is this normal?

Accepted Answer

: Tissue reaction from a breast biopsy will cause firmness from inflammatory tissue, and will be painful b/c of diminished circulation to the biopsied area, but should resolve with assistance from a heating pad, or eventually in any case.

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Doctor answers about:

What is the difference between an excisional and incisional biopsy

A member asked:

What is the difference between an excisional and incisional biopsy?

A member asked:

If a tongue lesion(1cm)is biopsized using incisional biopsy,is there risk of spreading cancer(if infact pathology showed cancer)? or is it better to do excisional biopsy?which one carries risk of spreading cancer cells?

A member asked:

Anyone ever heard of doing an incisional biopsy to diagnose skin rash?

A member asked:

Incisional biopsy- does a mole that was picked off, but needed biopsy, have to wait for wound to heal before a biopsy can be done?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for a persistant chronic painful tongue lesion that turned out (after incisional biopsy) to be chronic inflammatory infiltrate?is there any treatment?

A member asked:

A doctor is recommending an incisional biopsy for primary acquired melanosis. ive read that could be dangerous if cancer is present because it can cause the cancer to spread. is that a concern?

A member asked:

Had an incisional biopsy of the right breast three weeks ago and the lump removed was benign.there is now a lump above the scar.is this normal?

A member asked:

Swollen lymph node over 5 months with atypical cells diagnosed by needle biopsy. no other symptoms. how likely will incisional biopsy find cancer?

A member asked:

Is a tongue punch biopsy as painful as an incisional biopsy?does it cause tongue swelling and difficulty speaking and eating?and is it helpful in diagnosis?

A member asked:

Hi doc, undergo an incisional biopsy breast surgery and the result of my lump is benign, but after 2 weeks of surgery my breast is still in pain? is this normal?

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