A Path to Peace of Mind

Our Patient-Centered Pathology Services

About Your Skin Biopsy

The best intervention for skin cancer (and other skin-related diseases) is early detection and treatment, when the cancer is small and localized. A biopsy of skin is the first step with a suspected skin cancer and many other skin lesions. Identification of the type of skin tumor or lesion is crucial for proper treatment and is most accurately performed by a dermatopathologist, a pathologist who has specialized training in skin disease and tumor identification.

  • If your doctor recommends that a sample of your skin be removed, this sample, or biopsy, may be sent to a laboratory. There are several different methods which may be used to obtain a skin specimen. Choice of technique is determined by several factors, including the location, size, and type of lesion to be biopsied. All methods should include local injection or topical application of an anesthetic.

    Shave biopsy: After administering local anesthetic, the superficial layers of skin are shaved off.

    Punch biopsy: After administering local anesthetic, a small cylinder of skin is removed with a sharp, hollow instrument.

    Excisional biopsy: A local anesthetic is injected and the entire clinical lesion is removed (lump, spot, or sore), going as deep as necessary to get the entire area. The incision is then closed with stitches.

  • Skin biopsies are processed into microscopic slides and then stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), a routine histology stain to allow the the dermatopathologist to visualize the cellular details of the biopsied tissue. The dermatopathologist can then systematically examine the biopsy at a microscopic level. Based on the findings, the dermatopathologist may come up with a definitive diagnosis, or list several possible explanations, creating a differential diagnosis. The integration of clinical information in conjunction with the pathological findings generates the final diagnosis.

    In some cases, special studies on the tissue may be required to fully evaluate and diagnose your condition. The results of any of these studies are available to your physician and to you. The microscopic slides and diagnostic reports are stored in the laboratory should you or your physician request additional reports, review, consultation, or second opinion.

    If you have a condition that requires surgical excision, the tissue removed will be submitted for analysis just as is a biopsy.

  • At KDL Pathology, every specimen is important. Depending on the test performed, most tests are completed and reported to the ordering physician within 24 hours of receiving the specimen into the laboratory. Certain tests may take longer. Results are sent directly to the physician, who will contact you when your pathology report has been received.

    The fee for biopsy service includes transportation of the sample to the laboratory, external examination of the sample, processing of the sample into a microscopic slide, review of the slide by a dermatopathologist, and reporting results to your doctor.

Insurance Plans

KDL Pathology is committed to high-quality, affordable patient care. As such, we are a participating, in-network provider for laboratory and pathology services on all major medical plans. All KDL Pathololgy participating plans may not be listed as they are continually updated–please contact us for questions regarding specific plans.

KDL Pathology provides complimentary billing of Medicare and Third Party Insurance and maintains patient-friendly billing policies. Also, please note that KDL Pathology, as a participating laboratory network provider, provides the same coverage of patient benefits and deductibles as all other lab providers regardless of designated lab choice.

HIPAA Policy

At KDL Pathology, we value HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) because we understand the importance of protecting our patients' sensitive health information. We prioritize HIPAA compliance and maintain strict policies and procedures to safeguard patient data. Click “Learn more” to read our HIPAA Policy.