SKIN BIOPSY

Specimens after surgical or biopsy removal of tissues are examined by pathologists. Pathologists determine the extent of disease and tumor growth within the tissue. Subsequently, the pathologist directs tissue technitions to make specific cuts within the tissue and areas of disease, to define the extent of growth and tissue and cellular changes. Specimens are formalin fixated initially, processed in graded alcohols and xylene, as well as other solvents, and then embedded in paraffin. Using a microtome, which makes micro/millimetre slices of the specimen, numerous cuts are made within the tissue.