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Basal cell carcinoma: a comparison of shave biopsy versus punch biopsy techniques in subtype diagnosis
E B Russell1, P R Carrington, B R Smoller
1College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Background:
There are two standard ways to obtain tissue for histologic classification of a clinically suspected basal cell carcinoma: shave and punch biopsy. However, information on the value of each method is limited.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to identify accuracy rates of two standard biopsy techniques in diagnosing subtypes of basal cell carcinoma.
Methods:
A total of 86 cases were identified that had received either a punch or a shave biopsy with subsequent total excision of tumor. The biopsy specimens and excisions were compared for histologic correlation.
Results:
Analysis of specimens from punch and shave biopsies produced equivalent diagnostic accuracy rates: 80.7% and 75.9%, respectively. There was no statistically significant tendency to overcall or undercall any particular tumor subtype on the basis of the type of biopsy procedure used.
Conclusion:
For histologic classification of basal cell carcinoma, there is an approximately 80% accuracy rate with both the shave and the punch biopsy. Therefore either biopsy technique is appropriate.