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Biopsies

Biopsies determine whether a tumor is malignant, or it determines the cause of an unexplained infection or inflammation. Tissue samples are taken from tissue that appears changed in structure.

  • SPL provides an expert biopsy service of evaluating colon, gastric, esophageal, tonsil, throat, thyroid, ear, prostate, and bladder specimens.
  • SPL pathologists have expertise in evaluating these types of biopsies in our state-of-the art laboratory.
    • Skin biopsy. SPL creates frozen slices from a sample of skin and one of our highly-accredited pathologists examines the slice to determine if melanoma is present.
    • Shave biopsy. Shave biopsy evaluations are used to diagnose some basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers, but they are not recommended for suspected melanomas of the skin.
    • Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. SPL examines very small pieces from a tumor extracted by a thin needle and syringe. FNA is not used for diagnosis of a suspicious mole, but may be used to biopsy large lymph nodes near a melanoma to see if the melanoma has metastasized.
    • Punch biopsy. Punch biopsies are evaluations of a deeper sample of skin from an instrument that removes a short cylinder of tissue including the dermis, epidermis, and the most superficial parts of the subcutis.
    • Excisional or incisional biopsy. Excisional biopsy is the method usually preferred when melanoma is suspected. A full thickness of skin or all or part of a large tumor may be removed for further examination.
    • Endoscopic biopsy. A pathologist examines tissue samples provided by a surgeon using a flexible endoscope.
    • Bone marrow biopsy. SPL examines the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells from a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue usually taken from the back of the hip bones.
    • Whether on your site with one of our mobile labs, or at SPL’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Pinellas County, you can be assured of a very high quality evaluation and detailed report –delivered to you, when you need it.