The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Shave biopsy or punch!

Forums General Melanoma Community Shave biopsy or punch!

  • Post
    lindas58
    Participant

      Please explain the difference. I know a shave is what it says & a punch is what it says but I get the impression that a shave biopsy isn't so great, why?

      Please explain the difference. I know a shave is what it says & a punch is what it says but I get the impression that a shave biopsy isn't so great, why?

    Viewing 13 reply threads
    • Replies
        MichaelFL
        Participant

          Have you had melanoma? Or is this a suspected melanoma? A shave should not be done on a suspected melanoma as they are "shaves" and are not as deep as a punch biopsy. On the off chance it is melanoma, the shave may transect (slice through) the melanoma tumor and a proper depth may not be able to be ascertained.

          Actually, excisional biopsy is always the best route for a suspected melanoma.

          Only problem is that derms prefer shaves as they are faster. Get you in, get you out!

          Michael

          MichaelFL
          Participant

            Have you had melanoma? Or is this a suspected melanoma? A shave should not be done on a suspected melanoma as they are "shaves" and are not as deep as a punch biopsy. On the off chance it is melanoma, the shave may transect (slice through) the melanoma tumor and a proper depth may not be able to be ascertained.

            Actually, excisional biopsy is always the best route for a suspected melanoma.

            Only problem is that derms prefer shaves as they are faster. Get you in, get you out!

            Michael

            Sharyn
            Participant

              Michael is right. NEVER get a shave biopsy on a suspected melanoma. An excision is best, but if that's not possible, a punch biopsy is a good second. Good luck, and I hope it comes back negative!

              Hugs

              Sharyn, Stage IV

              Sharyn
              Participant

                Michael is right. NEVER get a shave biopsy on a suspected melanoma. An excision is best, but if that's not possible, a punch biopsy is a good second. Good luck, and I hope it comes back negative!

                Hugs

                Sharyn, Stage IV

                washoegal
                Participant

                  shave biopsy  biopsy of a skin lesion in which the sample is excised using a cut parallel to the surface of the surrounding skin.

                   

                  Punch biopsy is considered the primary technique for obtaining diagnostic full-thickness skin specimens. It requires basic general surgical and suture-tying skills and is easy to learn. The technique involves the use of a circular blade that is rotated down through the epidermis and dermis, and into the subcutaneous fat, yielding a 3- to 4-mm cylindrical core of tissue sample.

                   

                  If you suspect melanoma than you perfer not to have a shave biopsy but only because it makes getting the depth of the tumor impossible and therefor and accurate staging impossible.  However, since the derm only takes a very small portion off the top, it is not the end of the world.  Oncs don't like it.  But there you go, two different worlds.

                    Carol Taylor
                    Participant

                      I don't know terminology and a dermatologist didn't remove my mole, a PA at an Urgent Care did.  She removed an elliptical .4mm and said the tissue underneath "looked good."

                      Long story short: path came back melanoma, surgical oncologist said a full 1mm needs to be removed, so he had to go back to site and remove more and at same time removed first 2 nodes…he did that dye tracking test to see where cancer cells would go if there were any between the time of initial path and this surgery.  There was cancer in first so he went back, in second surgery, and removed remaining 25 nodes.

                      If you suspect melanoma, please have at least a full mm cut out and, if it comes back positive for melanoma, be prepared for futher tests to make sure it hasn't spread and stop it if it has.  (I saw where someone said 3-4 mm and that sounds great, speaking as someone who has been there).

                      Scars are a small price to pay.  Yes the procedures hurt like heck..but only for as long as they last and the needle stick time is relatively short.  You'll live through the procedures.  Don't opt for simpler or less-scarring procedures.  Go in from the beginning with an attitude to win it.  Melanoma is.

                      Here's hoping you'll be negative, but let's face it, you're suspicious for a reason.  Still, praying for a good outcome.

                      Carol Taylor
                      Participant

                        I don't know terminology and a dermatologist didn't remove my mole, a PA at an Urgent Care did.  She removed an elliptical .4mm and said the tissue underneath "looked good."

                        Long story short: path came back melanoma, surgical oncologist said a full 1mm needs to be removed, so he had to go back to site and remove more and at same time removed first 2 nodes…he did that dye tracking test to see where cancer cells would go if there were any between the time of initial path and this surgery.  There was cancer in first so he went back, in second surgery, and removed remaining 25 nodes.

                        If you suspect melanoma, please have at least a full mm cut out and, if it comes back positive for melanoma, be prepared for futher tests to make sure it hasn't spread and stop it if it has.  (I saw where someone said 3-4 mm and that sounds great, speaking as someone who has been there).

                        Scars are a small price to pay.  Yes the procedures hurt like heck..but only for as long as they last and the needle stick time is relatively short.  You'll live through the procedures.  Don't opt for simpler or less-scarring procedures.  Go in from the beginning with an attitude to win it.  Melanoma is.

                        Here's hoping you'll be negative, but let's face it, you're suspicious for a reason.  Still, praying for a good outcome.

                      washoegal
                      Participant

                        shave biopsy  biopsy of a skin lesion in which the sample is excised using a cut parallel to the surface of the surrounding skin.

                         

                        Punch biopsy is considered the primary technique for obtaining diagnostic full-thickness skin specimens. It requires basic general surgical and suture-tying skills and is easy to learn. The technique involves the use of a circular blade that is rotated down through the epidermis and dermis, and into the subcutaneous fat, yielding a 3- to 4-mm cylindrical core of tissue sample.

                         

                        If you suspect melanoma than you perfer not to have a shave biopsy but only because it makes getting the depth of the tumor impossible and therefor and accurate staging impossible.  However, since the derm only takes a very small portion off the top, it is not the end of the world.  Oncs don't like it.  But there you go, two different worlds.

                        dian in spokane
                        Participant

                          You've gotten all the correct answers to this question but I'd like to add a couple of things. Sometimes the reasons for doing a shave biopsy have little to do with a derm's desire for speed, but rather with a desire to have less impact on the patient. For instance, on the face, a shave biopsy would be preferrable. But I don't believe a derm would suggest a shave biopsy on a suspected melanoma.

                          Almost every time we hear a story about a derm or other doctor doing a shave biopsy, it's been on something that they did NOT suspect was melanoma. Like the story below, the person doing the biopsy is saying..oh this looks fine, but we'll test it anyway. Sometimes, things look like melanoma and are not, and sometimes things don't look like melanoma and they are. Pathology is what tells it.

                          And, while a punch or excisional biopsy is much preferred to a shave biopsy, so that accurate Breslow's depth can be established, it's certainly not catastrophic to have a shave biopsy. MANY many people on this board have had shave biopsies by mistake. If your pathology comes back as melanoma, with either a punch biopsy or a shave, you still have melanoma. You still need to have further surgery, wide excision, maybe more.

                          good luck,

                           

                          dian

                          dian in spokane
                          Participant

                            You've gotten all the correct answers to this question but I'd like to add a couple of things. Sometimes the reasons for doing a shave biopsy have little to do with a derm's desire for speed, but rather with a desire to have less impact on the patient. For instance, on the face, a shave biopsy would be preferrable. But I don't believe a derm would suggest a shave biopsy on a suspected melanoma.

                            Almost every time we hear a story about a derm or other doctor doing a shave biopsy, it's been on something that they did NOT suspect was melanoma. Like the story below, the person doing the biopsy is saying..oh this looks fine, but we'll test it anyway. Sometimes, things look like melanoma and are not, and sometimes things don't look like melanoma and they are. Pathology is what tells it.

                            And, while a punch or excisional biopsy is much preferred to a shave biopsy, so that accurate Breslow's depth can be established, it's certainly not catastrophic to have a shave biopsy. MANY many people on this board have had shave biopsies by mistake. If your pathology comes back as melanoma, with either a punch biopsy or a shave, you still have melanoma. You still need to have further surgery, wide excision, maybe more.

                            good luck,

                             

                            dian

                            FirstMelanoma
                            Participant

                              I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

                              Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

                              I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

                              I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

                              FirstMelanoma
                              Participant

                                I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

                                Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

                                I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

                                I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

                                FirstMelanoma
                                Participant

                                  I am very upset because my dermatologist only did a shave biopsy of a suspected leg mole that looked like melanoma – and turned out to be melanoma.  I had asked him to fully remove it – going deep enough to get the roots – but he didn't.  Won't be going back to that jerk!!

                                  Anyway, the melanoma specialist he referred me to couldn't get me in for five weeks to do the Mohs – so in the meantime (four weeks after the shave)  I've had some swelling in the area of the shave biopsy and can only wonder – is it metastasizing now because the careless dermatologist may have cut into the melanoma instead of fully removing it??

                                  I know, from Internet research, that most dermatologists today are doing shaves for suspected melanoma instead of the punch biopsies they should be doing to be safe and fair to the patient.  But the fact that most are doing shaves, doesn't make that OK or even the best choice.

                                  I won't be having my Moh's until next week.  Can anyone offer me some reassurance about this fiasco?  I am really stressed about it and feel that all this could have been avoided is only my dermatologist had done what I asked!!

                                    casagrayson
                                    Participant

                                      Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think that Mohs procedures were indicated with melanoma.  Shouldn't the OP be having a WLE (wide local exicision)?  

                                      FirstMelanoma
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

                                        Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

                                        Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!

                                        FirstMelanoma
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

                                          Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

                                          Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!

                                          FirstMelanoma
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks, Casagrayson, for your response.  As my user name indicates, I'm new at this melanoma stuff.  Only today learned about a "shave" versus a "punch" biopsy.  Thanks for mentioning a WLE (wide local excision) – that may be what I am planned for next week at the cancer center, but I thought my dermatologist said "Moh's".  Of course, I won't be returning to that guy!!

                                            Would you please tell me something about what to expect with a WLE.  It is really a big, deep area removed?  Is it something I should take a Tylenol Extra Strength for before having?  Also, if I'm wrong and if they plan a Moh's instead of a WLE, should I just refuse it?  Please explain why Moh's aren't used with melanoma.  Is a WLE a larger area than a Moh's?

                                            Please share your experience or your loved one's experience regarding a WLE.  Thanks.  I'm starved for info!

                                            FirstMelanoma
                                            Participant

                                              For:  casagrayson

                                               

                                              Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

                                              FirstMelanoma

                                              FirstMelanoma
                                              Participant

                                                For:  casagrayson

                                                 

                                                Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

                                                FirstMelanoma

                                                casagrayson
                                                Participant

                                                  I didn't put anything in that area … it just shows up as a blank space for me.  Very odd.

                                                  I'm truly no expert, so I'm hoping someone else with more experience chimes in. My husband has had multiple MOHS procedures on basal cell carcinomas.  This is where the doctor takes a slice of tissue and studies it under the microscope to see if there are clear margins all around.  If not, he goes back in a takes another thin slice.  This procedure repeats itself until all the cancer cells are gone.  

                                                  It used to be that MOHS was not the treatment of choice for melanoma.  I found this in a previous post:

                                                  "Frozen section technique is not the best technique for determining melanoma.  Melanocytes don't show up well under frozen sections.  Slides done in paraffin and specific stains for melanocytes are a much more accurate technique.  This is why Mohs is not typically done for melanoma.  It was designed for Basal Cell and Squamous Cell carcinoma both of which show up well with frozen sections."

                                                  casagrayson
                                                  Participant

                                                    I didn't put anything in that area … it just shows up as a blank space for me.  Very odd.

                                                    I'm truly no expert, so I'm hoping someone else with more experience chimes in. My husband has had multiple MOHS procedures on basal cell carcinomas.  This is where the doctor takes a slice of tissue and studies it under the microscope to see if there are clear margins all around.  If not, he goes back in a takes another thin slice.  This procedure repeats itself until all the cancer cells are gone.  

                                                    It used to be that MOHS was not the treatment of choice for melanoma.  I found this in a previous post:

                                                    "Frozen section technique is not the best technique for determining melanoma.  Melanocytes don't show up well under frozen sections.  Slides done in paraffin and specific stains for melanocytes are a much more accurate technique.  This is why Mohs is not typically done for melanoma.  It was designed for Basal Cell and Squamous Cell carcinoma both of which show up well with frozen sections."

                                                    casagrayson
                                                    Participant

                                                      I didn't put anything in that area … it just shows up as a blank space for me.  Very odd.

                                                      I'm truly no expert, so I'm hoping someone else with more experience chimes in. My husband has had multiple MOHS procedures on basal cell carcinomas.  This is where the doctor takes a slice of tissue and studies it under the microscope to see if there are clear margins all around.  If not, he goes back in a takes another thin slice.  This procedure repeats itself until all the cancer cells are gone.  

                                                      It used to be that MOHS was not the treatment of choice for melanoma.  I found this in a previous post:

                                                      "Frozen section technique is not the best technique for determining melanoma.  Melanocytes don't show up well under frozen sections.  Slides done in paraffin and specific stains for melanocytes are a much more accurate technique.  This is why Mohs is not typically done for melanoma.  It was designed for Basal Cell and Squamous Cell carcinoma both of which show up well with frozen sections."

                                                      FirstMelanoma
                                                      Participant

                                                        For:  casagrayson

                                                         

                                                        Also, I forgot to tell you that I couldn't see what you sent above your statement "Forgive me if I'm wrong . . ."  I couldn't see it because it said "a plugin is needed to display this content" and I didn't have the right plugin to do it.  Could you please re-send that missing information in a way that I wouldn't need a plug-in to read it.  Thanks!

                                                        FirstMelanoma

                                                        casagrayson
                                                        Participant

                                                          Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think that Mohs procedures were indicated with melanoma.  Shouldn't the OP be having a WLE (wide local exicision)?  

                                                          casagrayson
                                                          Participant

                                                            Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think that Mohs procedures were indicated with melanoma.  Shouldn't the OP be having a WLE (wide local exicision)?  

                                                          POW
                                                          Participant

                                                            I thought that Mohs surgery was done primarily for cosmetic reasons– by removing thin slices and checking them immediately under the microscope, the surgeon can remove the least amount of tissue as possible. I have heard of it being used most often on the face and eyelids, for example. However, it is not as accurate as a punch or a scallop biopsy for determining the type of cells or the depth of the lesion. That is probably why it is used when the doctor suspects basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma (which are slow growing and not very metastatic) but not when the doctor suspects melanoma.

                                                            POW
                                                            Participant

                                                              I thought that Mohs surgery was done primarily for cosmetic reasons– by removing thin slices and checking them immediately under the microscope, the surgeon can remove the least amount of tissue as possible. I have heard of it being used most often on the face and eyelids, for example. However, it is not as accurate as a punch or a scallop biopsy for determining the type of cells or the depth of the lesion. That is probably why it is used when the doctor suspects basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma (which are slow growing and not very metastatic) but not when the doctor suspects melanoma.

                                                                Mokkes
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Do any of you have a medical degree and training in dermatology?

                                                                  Mokkes
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Do any of you have a medical degree and training in dermatology?

                                                                    Mokkes
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Do any of you have a medical degree and training in dermatology?

                                                                    POW
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      I thought that Mohs surgery was done primarily for cosmetic reasons– by removing thin slices and checking them immediately under the microscope, the surgeon can remove the least amount of tissue as possible. I have heard of it being used most often on the face and eyelids, for example. However, it is not as accurate as a punch or a scallop biopsy for determining the type of cells or the depth of the lesion. That is probably why it is used when the doctor suspects basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma (which are slow growing and not very metastatic) but not when the doctor suspects melanoma.

                                                                  Viewing 13 reply threads
                                                                  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                                                  About the MRF Patient Forum

                                                                  The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                                                  The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.