Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The most common form of skin cancer.
While most clinics send your skin samples to distant, outside labs, Dr. Kamruz Darabi performs the microscopic analysis for most skin biopsies himself.
At Darabi Dermatology, we provide a distinct “in-house advantage” for your peace of mind.
As one of the only triple board-certified dermatologists in the nation—certified in Dermatology, Mohs Surgery, and Dermatopathology—Dr. Darabi bridges the gap between your clinical exam and your results. By evaluating most biopsies in-house, we ensure faster turnaround times of typically 2-5 business days and superior diagnostic accuracy. Whether you are visiting our Chaska or Hutchinson locations, you receive expert care from the provider who saw your skin to the pathologist who understands your unique case under the microscope.
Dermatopathology is the specialized study of skin diseases at the microscopic level. When you undergo a skin biopsy at Darabi Dermatology, the tissue sample is viewed by a dermatopathologist—a physician with advanced training in both dermatology and the pathology of the skin. This expert examines the sample under a microscope to provide a definitive diagnosis.
Unlike many medical clinics that send samples to general pathologists who see a wide variety of organ tissues, we keep our focus specialized. At Darabi Dermatology, we do not send your biopsy to a generalist with less specific experience in skin. Instead, your skin is evaluated by an expert dedicated solely to skin disorders. This detailed analysis is essential for identifying everything from complex rashes and inflammatory conditions to benign growths and skin cancer. By combining an expert clinical evaluation with an expert microscopic diagnosis, we ensure you receive the most accurate results and a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.
THE DARABI ADVANTAGE
At Darabi Dermatology, we believe that who reads your skin biopsy is just as important as the procedure itself. The "Darabi Dermatology Advantage" lies in our unique, integrated approach to diagnosis. In most dermatology offices, a sample is taken and mailed to a large, distant laboratory where a pathologist—who has never met you—looks at the slide. At our clinics in Chaska and Hutchinson, most biopsies are evaluated in-house by Dr. Kamruz Darabi, who has access to your medical record and photographs of your skin condition and can confer with your provider if needed.
As a triple board-certified expert in dermatology, Mohs surgery, and dermatopathology, Dr. Darabi provides a seamless connection between your clinical exam and the microscopic analysis. This results in significantly faster turnaround times and a higher level of diagnostic precision.
THE TYPICAL MODEL
THE DARABI ADVANTAGE
Most biopsies evaluated in-house by Dr. Darabi
Full access to your medical record and photos
Can confer directly with your provider
Faster turnaround and higher diagnostic precision
While we handle the majority of cases in-house, we also maintain active partnerships with the nation's leading academic dermatopathology laboratories. If needed, for rare or exceptionally complex cases, we utilize these trusted networks for specialized testing and second opinions. This ensures you receive world-class care, combining Dr. Darabi's personal expertise with the resources of international specialists when needed.
WHAT A BIOPSY REVEALS
A skin biopsy is a powerful diagnostic tool that provides answers when a visual exam isn't enough. For many patients, the primary concern is the early detection of skin cancer. A biopsy is the "gold standard" for identifying:
The most common form of skin cancer.
Often resulting from chronic sun exposure.
The most serious form of skin cancer, where early detection is vital.
Beyond the history and clinical exam, dermatopathology is essential for diagnosing a wide range of persistent or confusing skin conditions.
Aside from diagnosing skin cancers, we use biopsies to confirm cases of psoriasis and eczema, identify bacterial or fungal skin infections, and confirm rashes that can result from allergic reactions. It is also an invaluable resource for diagnosing rare inflammatory skin disorders that may not respond to standard treatments. By looking at the cellular level, we can differentiate between look-alike conditions, ensuring you receive the correct diagnosis and the most effective treatment plan.
HOW IT WORKS
We understand that any medical procedure can cause anxiety, which is why we prioritize your comfort and keep you informed at every step. A skin biopsy is a routine, outpatient procedure that typically takes only a few minutes. We perform it several times each day.
First, we use a very fine needle to inject a local anesthetic. You will feel a brief, tiny pinch—similar to a mosquito bite—and then the area will be completely numb, ensuring you feel no pain during the collection.
Depending on the lesion, your provider will perform either a "shave" or a "punch" biopsy to remove a small, precise sample of the skin. This process is quick and focused only on the suspicious area.
Your biopsy gets processed and the tissue examined under the microscope, looking for specific cellular patterns to identify the exact nature of your condition.
Once the analysis is complete, we will explain the findings in detail. Whether the result is benign or requires further action, we will create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your diagnosis and health goals.
Don’t leave your skin health to chance. Experience the peace of mind that comes with board-certified expertise and our rapid results. For your convenience, we offer expert dermatopathology services for patients at both of our locations. Contact us today to schedule your visit at our Chaska or Hutchinson office and take the first step toward an accurate diagnosis.
While these two roles work closely together, they focus on different stages of your diagnosis. A dermatologist is a medical doctor who treats patients clinically. They examine your skin, hair, and nails, identify suspicious growths or rashes, and perform the physical skin biopsy.
A dermatopathologist is a highly specialized physician—trained in both dermatology and pathology—who focuses on diagnosing skin diseases at the microscopic level. They study the tissue samples collected during a biopsy to provide the final, definitive microscopic diagnosis that guides your treatment.
At Darabi Dermatology, we offer a specialized level of oversight. Dr. Darabi is triple board-certified in Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery. While our team of skilled providers cares for patients and we utilize trusted external labs for certain cases, having an in-house dermatopathologist allows for a higher level of collaboration. This expertise ensures that whether your slide is read in-house or by one of our partner labs, your results are integrated into a comprehensive and accurate treatment plan.
Dermatopathology is essential for diagnosing a vast and diverse range of conditions that go far beyond simple skin checks. Because many skin issues look similar to the naked eye, microscopic analysis is the only way to confirm what is happening beneath the surface. Our dermatopathology services cover:
By examining the microscopic cellular architecture of these samples, we can provide the precise diagnosis necessary to start the most effective treatment for your specific condition.
It is natural to feel concerned when a provider recommends a biopsy, but it is important to remember that a biopsy is a precautionary tool used to rule out serious conditions. Not every suspicious lesion is malignant.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), researchers found that among patients undergoing skin cancer screenings, approximately 27% of skin biopsies resulted in a diagnosis of cancer. The study noted that, on average, about four biopsies needed to be performed for every one malignancy detected. This highlights that while many biopsies return as benign (non-cancerous) or inflammatory, the procedure remains the most reliable way to ensure that skin cancer is identified and treated at its earliest, most curable stage.
We prioritize patient comfort and take every step to ensure the procedure is as painless as possible. Before the biopsy begins, we use a very small needle to inject a local anesthetic to the specific area being tested. While you may feel a very brief, mild stinging sensation for a few seconds during the numbing process, the area will quickly become completely numb.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, you should not feel any pain or discomfort while the tissue sample is being collected. The entire process is very quick, and most patients are surprised by how simple and easy the procedure feels. After one to two hours the numbing wears off and any minor tenderness can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as Tylenol or acetaminophen.
We understand that waiting for results is often the most anxious part of the biopsy process. One of the primary advantages of choosing Darabi Dermatology is our specialized workflow. Because we maintain in-house dermatopathology expertise, we are often able to deliver results more efficiently than practices that must rely entirely on high-volume, distant external laboratories.
By keeping the diagnostic process integrated within our practice, we minimize the time your sample spends in transit and ensure a more direct line of communication between the laboratory and your care team. While complex cases requiring specialized testing or expert second opinions can occasionally extend the timeline, our goal is always to provide you with a precise diagnosis as quickly as possible so we can move forward with your personalized treatment plan.
It is natural to be concerned about the cosmetic outcome of a skin procedure. Because a biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue, it will result in a small scar. However, our providers use surgical techniques to ensure that any mark left behind is as minimal and inconspicuous as possible. To achieve the best aesthetic result, we carefully select the right biopsy method—such as a shave or a punch biopsy—to remove only the necessary amount of skin. We also take great care to perform the procedure in a way that aligns with your skin’s natural tension lines, which promotes optimal healing. Whenever possible, we aim to place biopsies in less visible areas to hide the site. We avoid taking biopsies from areas that don’t heal well. Over time, most biopsy scars fade significantly and become barely noticeable.
