A skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope.

Several different methods may be used to obtain a skin sample, depending on the size and location of the abnormal area of skin, called a skin lesion. In each procedure, the tissue is processed and then examined under a microscope.

Early diagnosis of a suspicious skin lesion and skin biopsy can help identify skin cancers and lead to early treatment.