Skin Biopsy

Diagnostic skin biopsy at Klinika preventivní dermatologie in Ostrava, used when a lesion's nature cannot be established by clinical and dermoscopic examination alone. The dermatovenereologist performs a punch or shave biopsy under local anaesthesia, removing a small tissue sample that is dispatched for formal histopathological analysis. Results are available within one to two weeks and are reviewed with the patient at an included follow-up consultation to discuss next steps. The biopsy procedure is 1,800 Kč; laboratory histopathology is charged separately at the pathology laboratory rate.

A skin biopsy is the definitive diagnostic step when a lesion's clinical and dermoscopic appearance raises questions that cannot be resolved by examination alone. At Klinika preventivní dermatologie the decision to biopsy follows a structured assessment: lesions with features suggesting dysplastic naevus, early melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, inflammatory dermatosis or infectious pathology are candidates. The physician explains the reasoning and the procedure clearly before proceeding. Two biopsy techniques are used, chosen to fit the clinical question and the lesion's morphology. A punch biopsy uses a circular cutting instrument, typically 3–4 mm in diameter, to remove a cylindrical core of skin and subcutaneous tissue through the full dermis — the preferred method when a complete cross-section of a lesion is needed for histological diagnosis of inflammatory or infectious conditions. A shave biopsy removes a thin saucer of tissue at the level of the superficial dermis using a fine blade and is suited to raised lesions such as suspected basal cell carcinoma, seborrhoeic keratoses or compound naevi where the depth of the pathology is shallow. Both are performed under local anaesthetic injection; the procedure itself takes only a few minutes after the anaesthetic takes effect. The tissue is placed in formalin, labelled with the site and clinical description, and sent to the pathology laboratory. A formal histopathology report, including classification of the lesion and clear margins assessment if applicable, is typically available within one to two weeks. The physician reviews the report with the patient at a follow-up visit and recommends next steps: surveillance, further excision, topical treatment or discharge. Punch sites are closed with one or two absorbable or fine removable sutures; shave sites heal without sutures, leaving a small flat pale mark. The biopsy procedure fee is 1,800 Kč and covers the physician's time, local anaesthesia and wound closure. Histopathological laboratory analysis is charged separately at the pathology laboratory rate, typically 800–1,500 Kč, for a total of approximately 2,600–3,300 Kč including the report.