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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffAfter the biopsy procedure, your doctor sends the sample to a laboratory for testing. Depending on the skin condition, type of biopsy and the laboratory procedures, results may take several days or a couple weeks. Results of biopsies for metabolic or genetic testing can take several months or more.
Your doctor may schedule an office appointment to discuss the results of the test. If possible, bring along a family member or friend. It can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. The person who accompanies you may remember something that you forgot or missed.
Write down questions that you want to ask your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to speak up when you don't understand something. Questions you may want to ask include:
- Based on the results, what are my next steps?
- What kind of follow-up, if any, should I expect?
- Are there any factors that might have affected the results of this test, and therefore may have altered the results?
- Will I need to repeat the test at some point?
- If the skin biopsy showed skin cancer, was all of the cancer removed or will I need additional surgery?
- Alguire PC, et al. Skin biopsy techniques. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Dermatologic surgical procedures. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniq=208746819. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Armstrong CA. Examination of the skin and approach to diagnosing skin diseases. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 15, 2010.
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