This study by Thompson et al. evaluated the rate of residual tumor found at the time of definitive excision after diagnostic biopsy in cutaneous malignancies. The findings quantified how often residual tumor remains at the biopsy site and its implications for surgical planning and margin assessment.

Residual tumor is frequently present at biopsy sites of cutaneous malignancies, supporting the need for definitive surgical treatment even after apparently complete biopsies.

Biopsy technique and tumor type influence the likelihood of residual tumor, which should be considered in surgical planning.