The biopsy procedure chosen depends on the site and size of the affected area. The biopsy is performed under local anesthesia, and you will feel a small needle stick and a little burning for about a minute, with a little pressure, but no pain. It is also performed with a local anesthetic. When the entire tumor is removed, it is called excisional biopsy technique. If only a portion of the tumor is removed, it is called incisional biopsy technique.
Excisional biopsy is the method usually preferred when melanoma is suspected.
Local anesthetic is sometimes used to numb the area, but the test rarely causes much discomfort and leaves no scar. When melanoma is found, more tests will be done to find out if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging, and is necessary before treatment for the cancer can begin. The tumor has spread to the body tissue below the skin. Stage IV - The tumor has spread to other organs, or to lymph nodes, far away from the original tumor.