Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Skin cancer diagnosis always requires a skin biopsy, which can be easily done during your appointment. The procedure used by your skin cancer doctor to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy. It's essential have a skin biopsy as it's the only way to know whether you have skin cancer.
To diagnose skin cancer, your doctor may perform visual examination of your skin and take a biopsy of any suspicious areas. It's important to see a doctor if you notice any changes in your skin such as new growth, changes in colour or texture, or sores that don't heal. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes for skin cancer.
Examine your skin
Your doctor may examine your skin to determine if any changes are indicative of skin cancer. Additional testing may be necessary to confirm diagnosis.
Skin Biopsy
If your doctor suspects skin cancer, they may remove the suspicious-looking skin for lab testing. A biopsy can help determine whether you have skin cancer and, if so, what type of skin cancer you have. It's important to get any suspicious moles or spots checked by a doctor as early detection can greatly improve treatment outcomes.
Extent of the skin cancer
If your doctor determines you have skin cancer, you may have additional tests to determine the stage of the skin cancer. If you have a superficial cancer like basal cell carcinoma, a biopsy removes the entire growth may be enough to determine the cancer stage. However, if you have a large squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma or melanoma, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine the extent of the cancer
Additional Tests
Imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI or CT scan may recommended to examine the nearby lymph nodes for signs of cancer. Another option is a sentinel lymph node biopsy, which involves removing a nearby lymph node and testing it for signs of cancer. These tests can help determine the stage of cancer and treatment decisions.