Preparing For Your Excisional Biopsy: Here's What You Need to Know

It’s normal to worry if you’ve been told you need an excisional biopsy. Undergoing a screening for oral cancer or another potentially serious issue is stressful, but it’s also the best way to protect yourself and your oral health. 

At Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants, Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith use excisional biopsies to diagnose oral cancer and other abnormalities. In this blog, we explain an excisional biopsy, how to prepare for it, and what to expect afterward.

What is an excisional biopsy?

An excisional biopsy is an outpatient procedure that removes an abnormal growth from inside your mouth. This type of biopsy is typically recommended for oral abnormalities of one centimeter or less. Removing the entire growth allows your dentist to carefully examine it under a microscope and determine if it’s cancerous or benign (non-cancerous).

The good news is that the majority of oral excisional biopsies don’t reveal cancer. So, even if you need to undergo one, chances are good you don’t have oral cancer or another serious oral health problem. 

When are excisional biopsies recommended?

Our team might recommend an excisional biopsy if we identify any abnormalities during a routine dental exam. Some of the most common issues that warrant a biopsy include:

Suspicious lesions

Oral lesions are patches of red or white tissue that form on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, floor, or roof of the mouth. They last at least two weeks and are often sore or sensitive to touch.

Persistent sores or ulcers

Almost everyone experiences sores on the gums and tongue occasionally. However, any open wound that lasts for two weeks or longer might indicate an underlying medical condition. A biopsy can identify the cause and guide treatment.

Inflammatory changes

Inflammatory changes in the mouth can take various forms, including blisters, bruising, and swelling. Often, these areas feel sore, swollen, or warm to the touch. You might also notice that symptoms worsen after brushing or flossing your teeth. 

Mucoceles

Mucoceles are non-cancerous growths that form inside the lower lip. They typically affect children and teens and occur due to lip biting or trauma. Because mucoceles look similar to cancerous tumors, our team often recommends excisional biopsies to ensure they’re benign.

Preparing for an oral excisional biopsy

Preparing for an oral excisional biopsy is relatively straightforward. Unless we tell you otherwise, continue taking your medications and supplements as prescribed. However, tell us if you take blood thinners or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can interfere with certain types of anesthesia, so we must be aware.

Most oral excisional biopsies occur under local anesthesia, so eating a meal beforehand is recommended. A full stomach significantly reduces your risk of potential side effects.

Oral biopsies present few risks. However, tell us if you have a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease. These issues won’t necessarily prevent you from undergoing a biopsy, but the more information you provide us, the better.

What happens during an oral excisional biopsy?

An oral excisional biopsy is an outpatient procedure that takes 15-30 minutes on average.

When you arrive at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants, we administer a local anesthetic, such as novocaine, to numb the abnormal growth and surrounding tissues. After the anesthesia sets in, we use a tool to remove the entire growth.

Then, we place the growth inside medical-grade packaging and send it to a nearby laboratory, where it’s examined under a microscope. The laboratory analyzes the growth for cancerous cells to determine if it’s malignant or benign.

Since excisional biopsies leave a small hole behind on your tongue, gums, or inner cheek, it’s normal to experience some bleeding. We close the open area, prescribe pain medication (if needed), and explain how to care for the biopsy site.

What to expect after your excisional biopsy

After undergoing an excisional biopsy, you will receive your results in 10-14 days. As soon as Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants hears from the laboratory, we will call you and explain the next steps.

In the meantime, avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours. In addition, avoid chewing directly on the biopsied area, rinsing or spitting, and drinking alcohol or using tobacco. These activities can irritate the treatment site and affect wound healing.

Consider an excisional biopsy screening if you have an oral abnormality, like an open lesion or unusual growth. Contact Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, to schedule an appointment. Call our office or request an appointment online today.