I went to dentist after months of pain in my cheeks, and now under my tongue. Internist treated for thrush, ENT said it was leukoplackia. Saw the dentist Wednesday and she referred me to an oral surgeons. I have a consult tomorrow. She was sure I needed biopsies. Can anyone tell me what to expect when biopsies are done?

Mandymphs,

I’ve had about two dozen biopsies, but it’s been a few years, thankfully! I’m not sure what the oral surgeon will decide, but a biopsy can be done during surgery under anesthesia, all my surgical biopsies were done by my ENT, and some were done as an inpatient office procedure with a local anesthesia by a pathologist, but my ENT did one office biopsy.

There are different types of biopsies as mentioned, from surgical, and office biopsies by excisional, incisional and punch biopsy. I recall caution is sometimes needed with an excisional biopsy due to the close margins if cancerous, as some cancer can be outside the margins, and think if there is a need for a surgical biopsy you would need a scan first.

Hopefully they decide none is necessary or one that is minimaly invasive, and only takes a few minutes!

Good luck

Thank you, Paul, the oral surgeon put me on a round of steroids to see how much, if any, of the lesions are from inflammation. He also scheduled an incisional biopsy on my left cheek on May 2. My son's wedding is april 29. I didn't want to throw a damper on their celebration. So wish me luck...

Best of luck with everything on the 2nd, Mandymphs, and congratulations!

2 biopsies done on the 2nd, still waiting on results. Two questions please, how long does it take for results and how long does the pain persist?

Mandymphs,

My ENT usually gave me the surgical results, but a full analysis can take longer, maybe a week. Surgical pain can usually last a few weeks, even less, but thrush, if it’s not controlled, can last even longer, and can return, and go to further areas if not controlled. I was usually on pain meds after surgery (opiods), and on thrush treatment intermittently for a number of years such as with impeccable oral care, diflucan or omeprazole, nystatin, magic mouthwash for pain, avoiding sugar, which can increase thrush growth. I had invasive candida (thrush) too, that went into the esophagus and stomach, which is not good.

I hope this helps.

Biopsy results usually take about a week. By now you shouldnt be in so much pain. I suggest calling the doc and asking to get rechecked due to the biopsy pain persisting. You can ask if they could write a prescription for pain meds. Some patients barely feel the biopsy while others have lots of pain. Your could be in pain due to the location and depth of the biopsies and what your pain tolerance is. Im one who is pretty wimpy and I usually am ok after about 2 or 3 days. The day after the biopsy is taken normally is the worst one.

Hope you feel better very soon and wishing you all the best with your test results. Please let us know how you make out.

He has me scheduled for a follow-up app on Monday. Sure hope I don't have to wait until then for results.

Give them a call, the results may be in, and if you can move up your appt? All they can say is, no.

Often, at a large hospital, doctor offices, testing department or labs, I wouid go to the records department or offices, and obtain copies of surgeries, tests, results before seeing the doctor, sometimes days or weeks ahead. Only once I was denied, when a speech pathologist saw me, and inquired about my visit, so they didn't give me any copies while the dr was on vacation. This is only if you can take seeing the results yourself, and able to understand some of the results, which is usually explained in the Findings or Interpetation.

I hope this helps

Just talked to Dr office. Results are in, but they won't discuss them with me until my appointment Monday... Scared...