What Goes Into an Oral Cancer Biopsy?

Posted on 9/15/2019 by Rodney Rastegar

The first way to recognize the possibility of oral cancer is by noticing some of the signs. Once you notice the signs of oral cancer, you need to find out more about the symptoms. You need to know if they really mean you have oral cancer or are the result of something else.

That requires additional testing and one of the tests used is a biopsy. The term biopsy scares many people, but the fear often comes from the unknown. The more you understand what an oral cancer biopsy the less fear you will have.

Why Get a Biopsy?

If you do a self-exam or if you come into our office for a routine exam, you may notice some irregularities in your mouth. These can include white spots on your cheeks or gums, sores or areas of irritation. The reasons for the abnormalities can range from nothing important to a sign of oral cancer. The problem is that simply doing a visual examination does not give a definitive diagnosis. Before ignoring the abnormalities or before taking steps to remove them, you need to know what they are. The best way to do that is through a biopsy. The biopsy is the best way to detect whether the cells are cancerous or not.

It Really Is A Simple Procedure
A biopsy is a simple procedure. The thought of a diagnosis of cancer is scary, but the thought of the actual procedure to get a biopsy is not a big deal. The biopsy involves taking some tissue cells from the site of the abnormality and sending them to a lab to analyze the tissue sample. A small cutting tool or a needle can get the tissue needed for the tests. There is usually no need for any anesthesia and the recovery time is minimal. It is a relatively painless procedure that only takes a few minutes.

The hardest part of the biopsy is waiting for the result. It can take several days to get the results of the tests and to determine what to do next if there is oral cancer. For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

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