Introduction
This leaflet contains information for patients who are undergoing an oral biopsy procedure.
Please read this before coming to your appointment.
Why do I need a biopsy?
You have been referred for a biopsy as you have a lump or lesion in your mouth. Biopsies are a way of taking or removing small samples of the tissue (skin/lining) of your mouth.
They allow us to identify the cause of any lumps, lesions or conditions that have been noticed inside your mouth. When a biopsy is taken, it is sent to a pathologist who then looks at the sample under a microscope to help identify what is causing the problem and may help determine what, if any, treatment is necessary. Biopsies are often important so we can ensure we have an accurate idea of what is causing the lump or condition inside your mouth.
Types of biopsy
There are two main types of biopsy: incisional and excisional.
Incisional: This type of biopsy means that we take a small sample of the area that looks
different, but we do not remove the entire lesion or lump. The reasons why we do not remove the entire lesion can vary but sometimes it is because the area is too large to completely remove or may affect multiple areas in the mouth. Another reason why we may not remove it all in the first surgery is because we are not certain of the cause and need further information from the biopsy before making a treatment plan.
Excisional: This type of biopsy is used to completely remove a lesion. This is often performed for very small lesions or lumps that are in one part of the mouth.
What should I do before my appointment?
Unless you have been specifically asked to miss or delay a dose of anything at your consultation appointment please take your medications as you usually would that day.
Please bring a list of your medications to all of your appointments, so that the clinician can
check them.
You can eat and drink as normal. We do not need you to be starved.
What to expect on the day
When you arrive, the clinician will introduce him or herself and confirm some details with you.
You will be asked to sign a consent form if you have not already done so at your consultation appointment. This is a document which explains the procedure you are having done and the risk and benefits involved. It is signed by the clinician and also signed and dated by you.
It is important that you ask any questions you may have if there is anything you do not
understand or need further explanation of.
The biopsy: We need to place some local anaesthetic around the area we are going to take the biopsy from. This numbs the area, and is the same type of anaesthetic you may have
experienced at your general dentist for fillings etc.
Once the area is numb, we take the biopsy we need and then place some pressure on the area.
To stop any bleeding from the sample site, we often place some dissolvable stitches, but
sometimes this is not always necessary. We will ensure that any bleeding has stopped before you go home. The procedure usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes.
What should I do after the treatment?
Once your treatment is finished, we will explain how to care for your mouth after the biopsy.
General advice includes:
- Do not rinse or spit out for the rest of the day
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 48 hours
- Avoid chewing directly on the area that has been biopsied for four hours
- Avoid hard physical activity for the rest of the day
- Take some pain relief if required. Paracetamol is usually recommended, but we will also confirm what pain relief is suitable; depending on what other medications you take. Never exceed the recommended dosage on the packet.
- The day after your procedure. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water. Place one level
- teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, stir and use to rinse gently after each meal (up to four times a day). This will help to prevent infection.
- If you have stitches, these are dissolvable and can take up to six weeks to fully dissolve.
- If they come out within three days after the procedure, we would ask that you contact the department to see if they need to be replaced. If it is a couple of days after the procedure and the area is not actively bleeding or gaping, we may not need you to return.
What can happen when I go home?
It is normal to have blood stained saliva after the procedure and a blood clot can form around the area. Bleeding can be caused by too much rinsing or disturbance of the area.
If the area starts to bleed actively when you go home, bleeding can be controlled by firmly
pressing gauze or a cotton cloth on the area for 10 minutes whilst sitting down.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop with firm pressure, we would ask you to contact us for advice.
Please see your leaflet “Advice following oral surgery procedures” for our contact details.
When do I receive my results?
We may arrange to review you on our clinic a few weeks after your biopsy and go through your results in person. If this is the case the appointment for the results will either be given to you on the day of the biopsy, or posted out to you. On occasions the consultant may write to you and your referring doctor/dentist with the result if it is felt no further appointments or treatments are necessary
For further information
Contact details
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm please telephone (0191) 233 6161 and ask for the
department you were seen on for your biopsy. Their details will be on your appointment letter or card.
At other times for emergencies please contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery senior house officer through the hospital switchboard (0191) 233 6161
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS
services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, email [email protected] or text to 07815 500 015.
Useful websites
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS website at www.nhs.uk
If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit
www.accessable.co.uk
