Doctors remove moles using a procedure called an excision biopsy.
What is an Excision Biopsy?
An excision biopsy is a process where a doctor surgically removes a mole or an area of abnormal skin. Here’s how it typically works:
- Local Anesthesia: You’ll lie down on a couch, and the doctor will inject a local anesthetic into the skin surrounding the mole. This numbs the area, so you won't feel pain during the procedure.
- Mole Removal: The doctor then removes the mole, along with a small margin of normal skin (about 2mm) around it. This ensures that any potentially problematic cells are fully removed.
Steps in Mole Removal
Here's a step-by-step look at the mole removal process:
- Preparation: You'll be positioned comfortably.
- Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is injected to numb the area.
- Excision: The mole and a small margin of surrounding skin are carefully cut out.
- Closure: The wound is typically closed with stitches.
- Follow-up: Depending on the mole, a follow-up appointment may be scheduled.
This method ensures that the mole is removed completely, and the removed tissue can be examined under a microscope to determine if there are any abnormal cells.
