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Tongue Biopsy – Indications, Procedures, Results

April 15, 2022
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Your tongue Biopsy is very sensitive to done to remove a small piece of the tongue tissue is taken for examine under a microscope and may be uncomfortable even when the numbing medicine is used. Your tongue can be tender or sore, and it may feel slightly swollen after the biopsy and may have stitches or an open sore where the biopsy was done. A biopsy is recommended for any lesion, cancer and disease in the oral cavity that has been present for a long period of time with no known cause, a lesion that persists despite treatment or the removal of local irritants, or a lesion that interferes with speaking or swallowing.

A tongue biopsy is a minor surgery that is done to remove a small piece of the tongue tissue then examined under a microscope.

How the Test is Performed

A tongue biopsy can be done using a needle.

  • You will get numbing medicine at the place where the biopsy is to be done.
  • The health care provider will gently stick the needle into the tongue and remove a tiny piece of tissue.

Some types of tongue biopsies remove a thin slice of tissue. Medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic) will be used. Others are done under general anesthesia, (allowing you to be asleep and pain-free) so that a larger area may be removed and examined.

How to Prepare for the Test

You may be told not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the test.

How the Test will Feel

Your tongue is very sensitive so a needle biopsy may be uncomfortable even when numbing medicine is used.

Your tongue can be tender or sore, and it may feel slightly swollen after the biopsy. You may have stitches or an open sore where the biopsy was done.

Why the Test is Performed

The test is done to find the cause of abnormal growths or suspicious-looking areas of the tongue.

Normal Results

The tongue tissue is normal when examined.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may mean:

  • Amyloidosis
  • Tongue (oral) cancer
  • Viral ulcer
  • Benign tumors

Risks

Risks for this procedure include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Swelling of the tongue (can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulty )

Complications from this procedure are rare.

FAQ

Is a biopsy of the tongue painful?

  • Your tongue is very sensitive so a needle biopsy may be uncomfortable even when the numbing medicine is used. Your tongue can be tender or sore, and it may feel slightly swollen after the biopsy. You may have stitches or an open sore where the biopsy was done.

long does a tongue biopsy hurt?

As the anesthetic wears off, you may begin to experience pain. The most severe pain usually occurs within 4-6 hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that, your pain should lessen. Ibuprofen will be your best aid in pain management—often it will be all that is necessary to control any pain.
A tongue biopsy can be done using a needle. You will get numbing medicine at the place where the biopsy is to be done. The health care provider will gently stick the needle into the tongue and remove a tiny piece of tissue.

Can I talk after a tongue biopsy?

  • Post-procedure, until the numbness wears off, avoid eating and talking, so you don’t bite your tongue.

How long does it take to recover from a tongue biopsy?

  • Normal healing after biopsies should be as follows: The first 2 days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some degree of swelling. On day 3, you should be more comfortable and can usually begin a more substantial diet.

Can you talk after tongue surgery?

  • When part of the tongue is removed, it can be hard to speak and be understood by others. The Speech-Language Pathologist will assess your ability to speak clearly. Sometimes people need only a few speech therapy sessions, while others may need to learn other methods to communicate such as computers or gestures.

What can you eat after a mouth biopsy?

  • You should avoid hot (temperature hot) foods today as well as spicy or sharp foods like toast, chips and popcorn, for your own comfort. However, do eat your meals and keep hydrated. Be careful about not biting the area of the biopsy site or areas that may be numb for several hours.

Can a dentist do a tongue biopsy?

  • The dentist may also do a biopsy if he notices these symptoms on your cheeks, lips, tongue, palate, face, neck, and/or the gum tissue around your teeth. Pain does not always accompany the symptoms. Do not ignore suspicious sores or lumps.

What percent of oral biopsies are cancerous?

  • Malignant (cancerous) tumors are estimated to account for between 1 percent and 6 percent of all odontogenic tumors, according to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

What kind of doctor performs a tongue biopsy?

  • Due to the complexity of this procedure, it’s usually performed under general anesthesia in an operating room. In order to confirm an oral cancer diagnosis, an ENT doctor must take a biopsy (a tissue sample) of the concerning area.

Does a mouth biopsy hurt?

  • Is an Oral Biopsy Painful? You shouldn’t feel pain during an oral biopsy. You may, however, feel a sharp pinch or pinprick from the needle used to inject the local anesthetic or the needle used to take the biopsy, according to the Radiological Society of North America.

How long does an oral biopsy take?

  • The biopsy usually leaves a small hole that often requires stitching. In the majority of cases, the stitches used are dissolvable and take around two weeks to disappear. The whole process (local anesthetic injection, biopsy, and stitching) usually takes around 15 minutes from start to finish.

What can a mouth biopsy detect?

  • Biopsy. In a biopsy, the doctor removes a small piece of tissue or a sample of cells, so it can be looked at closely in the lab for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure that oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer is present.

Can you swallow without a tongue?

  • If you had a small amount of tongue removed, you may be able to eat by mouth. However, if you had a large amount of tongue removed, you will not be able to eat anything through your mouth right after surgery.

What happens when the tongue is removed?

  • Total glossectomy: The whole tongue is removed. This results in an inability to swallow without getting food/liquids into the lungs (called aspiration). Because of this, a laryngectomy may also be done. Laryngectomy (removal of the larynx or voice box) helps prevent aspiration but also results in loss of your voice.

Can I drink coffee after a tongue biopsy?

  • Drink plenty of fluids, but try to avoid caffeine. Do not spit, suck through a straw, or smoke for 48 hours.

What is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity?

  • Almost all of the cancers in the oral cavity and oropharynx are squamous cell carcinomas, also called squamous cell cancers. These cancers start in squamous cells, which are flat, thin cells that form the lining of the mouth and throat.

What happens if the biopsy report is positive?

Another important factor is whether there are cancer cells at the margins, or edges, of the biopsy sample. A “positive” or “involved” margin means there are cancer cells in the margin. This means that it is likely that cancerous cells are still in the body.

 

Dr. Harun
Dr. Harun

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices.

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