Also re biopsy - accuracy depends on 3 things - 1) type - an FNA - it only takes a tiny amount of tissue - so if the dr hits the wrong spot with the needle then you are SOL (there are several types of needle biopsies - some using larger bore needles and some using X-rays to guide it or determine location. The larger the bore the more tissue - the X-ray helps in spotting any abnormalities) still a needle biopsy usually only takes a small amount of tissue.. A surgical biopsy is the most accurate as the takes a larger amount of tissue. And a brush is only superficial taking just the top layer so something could be hiding underneath the area that's not picked up.

2) how good the person doing your biopsy (examining the tissue on the other end is)

3) where your dr pulls from. So if they don't hit the right area you are SOL - even with a surgical biopsy.

If you had a surgical biopsy I would say its very likely accurate even with any potential for human error.

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan