Women’s specialists for vulvar biopsy: Top Atlanta OBGYN

Women’s specialists in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA say that a vulvar biopsy is a test to check for vulvar cancer or another skin disease. The vulva is the outer part of a woman’s genitals. During a biopsy, small pieces of tissue are taken from areas of skin that look abnormal. The tissue is then checked in a lab for cancer cells and other types of skin disease.

Why a vulvar biopsy is done by Women’s specialists

Women’s specialists say that a vulvar biopsy may be done if the patient has patches of skin on her vulva that look abnormal. This includes:

• Areas of skin that are white, or turn white after a special acetic acid solution are applied
• Patches of skin that are red, pink, gray, brown, or bumpy
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Genital warts that don’t go away

How a vulvar biopsy is done

The biopsy is a quick procedure. It’s often done in a healthcare provider’s office. The patient may be told to take over-the-counter pain medicine before the procedure. This can help prevent pain after the biopsy. During the procedure:

• The skin in the area is cleaned with a chemical solution. The physician will put medicine on the skin to numb it. Then he or she will inject a medicine into the area to help prevent pain during the biopsy.
• When the area is numb, the provider will take a sample of the skin with a small, sharp tool. He or she may take a thin slice of the skin. Or the provider may take a larger piece. In some cases, the entire patch of skin will be removed. Your specialist will tell you which kind of biopsy is best for you.

If the physician takes a larger piece of skin, the area will then be closed with stitches (sutures). The patient will be told how to care for the area after the biopsy to help it heal.

The tissue removed during the biopsy is then checked by a special doctor called a pathologist. The patient will then get the results in about a week. However, the healthcare provider will tell the patient if she needs any follow-up tests or not. This may include another biopsy.

Risks of a vulvar biopsy

Women’s specialists state that the risk of vulvar biopsy includes:

• Pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood blister (hematoma)
• Bruising
• Loss of skin color in the area (hypopigmentation)
• Scarring

Top women’s specialists: Atlanta and Alpharetta OBGYNs

Georgia OBGYN is your best local specialist. We are fully focused on providing the best health care and treatment for women of all ages, we have a full complement of medical specialists ready to help you. Book a consultation with your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.