Pathology · single question
Same HPV case — the lesion is growing, 2 months duration, in a smoker. What type of biopsy is most appropriate?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Excisional biopsy
✓ A) Excisional biopsy is correct.
Excisional biopsy (complete removal of the lesion) is appropriate when: the lesion is small enough to excise completely, it provides both diagnosis AND treatment simultaneously, and when malignancy is suspected but the lesion is manageable size. For a growing papillary HPV lesion in a smoker, excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion for histopathologic examination, eliminates the lesion, and allows complete margin assessment. Incisional biopsy is used for large lesions where complete excision is not possible.
Excisional biopsy (complete removal of the lesion) is appropriate when: the lesion is small enough to excise completely, it provides both diagnosis AND treatment simultaneously, and when malignancy is suspected but the lesion is manageable size. For a growing papillary HPV lesion in a smoker, excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion for histopathologic examination, eliminates the lesion, and allows complete margin assessment. Incisional biopsy is used for large lesions where complete excision is not possible.