title: Fusiform incisional biopsy for pigmented skin lesions.
abstract: Current recommendations for biopsy of a pigmented skin lesion suspected of being melanoma include complete excision when possible. Because benign pigmented lesions do not warrant excisional biopsy, especially when they are large and/or on cosmetically sensitive sites, incisional biopsy is desirable. For such lesions we recommend a fusiform incisional biopsy. This tissue sampling technique not only yields an excellent cosmetic outcome, but also provides the pathologist with an optimal biopsy specimen in which he/she can assess the symmetry, circumscription, breadth, and depth of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pardasani
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leshin
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hallman
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology