Tongue biopsy
A tongue biopsy is a minor surgery that is done to remove a small piece of the tongue. The tissue is 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 insert 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
Amyloidosis
Primary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tongue (oral) cancer
Tongue (oral) cancer
Oral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Viral ulcer
- Benign tumors
Benign
Benign refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not in...
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Risks
Risks for this procedure include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling of the tongue (can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulty)
Swelling
Swelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleBreathing difficulty
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Complications from this procedure are rare.
Reviewed By
Ashutosh Kacker, MD, FACS, Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Attending Otolaryngologist, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bauman JE. Head and neck cancer. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 176.
Ellis E, Huber MA. Principles of differential diagnosis and biopsy. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22.
Wein RO, Weber RS. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 91.
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