title: Punch biopsy for diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.
abstract: Melanoma is a potentially fatal cancer with a relatively high incidence, but it can be cured if the lesions are removed at an early stage. Punch biopsy is a cosmetically acceptable, rapid method for removing small pigmented lesions to allow definitive pathologic diagnosis. The technique, which usually requires only a small amount of local anesthetic and no sutures, can be performed by a busy physician at the time the suspicious lesion is discovered.
authors: Foothills Provincial General Hospital, Calgary, Alberta.
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Thompson
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Temple
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Lafreniere
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Jerry
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ashley
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*