Treatment Options For Moles

Biopsy

If a mole has changed in shape, size, or color, individuals should talk to a doctor, who may have concerns regarding the potential for cancer. They may do a skin biopsy when deciding whether full removal is the best treatment option. During a skin biopsy, there are skin samples or cells removed from the body's surface. The goal is to get a sample large enough to be analyzed in a lab. There are three types of biopsies used, one of which is called a shave biopsy. Like a shave excision, this procedure uses a razor to remove a small portion of the mole. A punch biopsy is done by using a circular tool that removes a section of the mole and some of the layers underneath, including the epidermis, dermis, and fatty layer. An excisional biopsy is performed when the doctor removes the entire mole and some healthy tissue around it, then sends that to be analyzed in a lab.

Get familiar with what treatments don't work on moles next.