A tongue biopsy is surgery to remove a piece of the tongue for examination under a microscope.

Biopsy - tongue

A tongue biopsy can be done using a needle. After numbing the area, the health care provider gently sticks the needle into the tongue and removes a tiny piece of tissue.

Some types of tongue biopsies remove a thin slice of tissue. Others are done under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free) so that larger areas may be removed and examined.

See also: Surgical excision

You may be told not to eat or drink anything for several hours before the test.

A needle biopsy is often somewhat uncomfortable even with use of an anesthetic, because the tongue is quite sensitive. After the biopsy, the tongue can be tender or sore, and it may feel slightly swollen. There may be stitches or an open sore where the biopsy was done.

The test is done to determine the cause of abnormal growths or suspicious-looking areas of the tongue.

There is normal tongue tissue, with no abnormal changes.

• Amyloidosis
• Tongue (oral) cancer

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling of the tongue (can obstruct the airway and cause breathing difficulty)

Note: Complications are rare.

Robinson PN. Early diagnosis of oral cavity cancers. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. Apr 2006; 39(2): 295-306.

Noonan VL. Diagnosis and management of suspicious lesions of the oral cavity. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. Feb 2005; 38(1): 21-35, vii.