Non-invasive Skin Biopsy Testing
Typically, when a doctor suspects that a mole or a spot on a patient's skin might be cancerous, the first recommended step is to perform a biopsy. A biopsy involves cutting a sample of the skin in order to send it off to a laboratory for testing. But, with a new, non-invasive skin biopsy test that is currently available to patients of Dr. Lawrence Schiffman at Miami Skin Dr., the sample can be easily taken with a procedure that does not leave behind a scar or involve painful cutting.
Skin biopsy testing is primarily conducted in order to identify the probability that moles and other skin issues might be cancerous in nature.
Blemishes, unusual sores, moles, lumps, or general changes in the appearance of the skin might be potential signs of melanoma or other types of skin cancers.
One of the most significant warning signs of melanoma is a new spot that may appear on one's skin that changes in color, shape, or size over time. Additionally, a spot that has an appearance different from others may also be a warning sign of melanoma. This sign is usually referred to as the ugly duckling sign. Once you notice any of these warning signs, you should contact us to have your skin checked as quickly as possible.
There is also the "ABCDE Rule" that provides guidelines for typical warning signs of melanoma, which is made up of warning signs like:
Asymmetry – Where one-half of the birthmark or the mole does not match the other one.
Border – The edges will appear ragged, irregular, blurred, or notched.
Color – Changes in color that are significantly different from other spots on the skin are worth a more in-depth look.
Diameter – The spot will be bigger than six millimeters.
Evolving – The mole will keep on changing in shape, size, and even color.
There are also other signs and symptoms that may show the presence of melanoma on your skin. They include the following;
No-Scalpel Skin Testing
This new, non-invasive skin biopsy test utilizes an adhesive patch, rather than a scalpel. With this more advanced method, no instruments or tools are used in the body of the patient.
Patient-Friendly Biopsy Technology
The adhesive patches come with special features that enable an effective collection of various skin samples, while also ensuring that the process gives the patient little-to-no discomfort. This also allows for quicker patient recovery times as well as no risk of scarring.
DermTech Biopsy Now Available
This advanced testing option from Dermtech is now available at Miami Skin Dr.
This test uses an adhesive tape to pick up cells from the surface of the skin that display signs and symptoms of the melanoma. The sample is then sent to laboratories, where it is analyzed after the technicians have extracted the ribonucleic acid (RNA) from it. DermTech’s PLA MAGE (Melanoma Associated Gene Expression) detects the expression for two specific genes, PRAME and LINC00518. These two genes belong to separate classes of molecules that are known to have roles in oncogenesis, and both are elevated in melanoma. These gene expression results are summarized in a molecular pathology report.
Early Melanoma Detection Saves Lives
Melanoma cancer is a very aggressive form of cancer that requires timely diagnosis for optimal patient prognosis. This type of diagnosis can only be provided by experienced skin care doctors like Dr. Lawrence Schiffman of Miami Skin Dr.