Basal cell carcinoma: a comparison of shave biopsy versus punch biopsy techniques in subtype diagnosis.

Abstract

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. The purpose of this study was to identify accuracy rates of two standard biopsy techniques in diagnosing subtypes of basal cell carcinoma. 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. 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. 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.