Biopsy techniques for skin disease and skin cancer.

It is increasingly important for clinicians to be proficient at performing skin biopsies because of the prevalence of skin cancers and other skin diseases in the population. With the appropriate knowledge and training, the three major types of biopsies-shave biopsy, punch biopsy, and excisional/incisional biopsy-can be performed. The choice of biopsy type depends on the suspected disease pathology and lesion location.