Mouth Biopsy, Excision and Enucleation
Mouth biopsy, excision and enucleation are simple procedures performed to diagnose and treat lumps and lesions in the mouth.
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What are mouth biopsy, excision and enucleation?
Biopsy, excision and enucleation and all procedures that are used to remove tissue from the mouth to test or treat lumps and lesions in the mouth.
At Welbeck, mouth biopsy, excision and enucleation procedures are performed by our experienced maxillofacial specialists in our Oral & Facial Health centre.
Get in contact to make an appointment with one of our consultants if you have any of the symptoms:
- a mouth ulcer or sore that hasn’t healed within two weeks
- a lump or lesion in any part of your mouth
- numbness of your mouth or tongue
- changes to the roof or floor of your mouth
- difficulty eating or speaking due to a lump or lesion
What do mouth biopsy, excision and enucleation involve?
Mouth biopsy
A biopsy is a very simple procedure that involves collecting a small piece of tissue from an area of concern so that it can be examined under a microscope.
A maxillofacial specialist may recommend that you have a biopsy to find out the cause of any lumps, lesions, sores or changes to the tissue inside your mouth.
There are two main types of biopsy: incisional and excisional.
Incisional mouth biopsy
An incisional biopsy takes a small sample of tissue from the area under investigation to be tested and evaluated under a microscope.
You will receive a local anaesthetic to numb the area before a small piece of tissue is cut away and collected for testing. This procedure is straightforward and takes around 15 minutes to complete. At Welbeck, incisional biopsies are performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can return to your normal activities right away.
Excisional mouth biopsy
An excisional biopsy is used to completely remove a lesion or lump in its entirety. This type of biopsy is commonly performed for very small lesions or lumps that affect only one area of the mouth.
Unlike an incisional biopsy, an excisional biopsy will remove the entire lesion or lump, as well as a proportion of tissue around the area. You may need some stitches depending on how much tissue was removed.
An excisional biopsy is usually performed using a local anaesthetic in the Welbeck outpatient clinic. If a lump or lesion is particularly large, you may be given a general anaesthetic and will need to stay in hospital overnight.
Mouth excision
As well as being used in the diagnosis of mouth lumps and lesions, excision is also used as a treatment.
You may have an excision to remove a larger area of tissue after receiving the results of an incisional mouth biopsy, or your specialist may suggest an excision as a combined diagnostic and treatment option.
Mouth enucleation
Mouth enucleation is a simple surgical procedure that removes a cyst from the mouth. The treatment is commonly used for the treatment of cysts that develop on the jaw and involves cutting the cyst out of the soft tissue and removing it in its entirety. This procedure may be done under sedation or a general anaesthetic.
What are the risks of mouth biopsy, excision and enucleation?
The risks associated with these procedures are very small, but you may experience some pain, bleeding, discomfort and swelling. There is also a small chance of nerve damage in the area where the biopsy is taken. Your consultant will explain any risks to you before performing your procedure.
How to prepare for a mouth biopsy, excision or enucleation
There is no preparation required ahead of having a mouth biopsy, excision or enucleation procedure. At your initial consultation, your Welbeck specialist will talk you through the procedure you’re having, answer any questions and share any aftercare advice.
Recovery and aftercare
Before leaving the Welbeck, your consultant will check that any bleeding has stopped, and will provide advice on how to best care for your mouth over the next few days. If the area is sore, over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help you feel more comfortable.
How much does a private mouth biopsy, excision or enucleation cost?
The price of treatment depends on the exact procedure required. Your consultant will be able to advise you on pricing after a consultation to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Why choose Welbeck?
At Welbeck, our maxillofacial specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Book your private consultation
To make an appointment for these procedures, you can either self-refer, or be referred by either your GP or a consultant following a consultation with them.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck maxillofacial specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
FAQs
What can a mouth biopsy detect?
A mouth biopsy can detect the cause of lumps, lesions, sores and ulcers in your mouth, and can also help determine if a condition is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
How long does a mouth biopsy take to heal?
An incisional biopsy will usually take 2 to 3 days to heal. An excisional biopsy that requires stitches can take around 2 weeks to heal.
What can mouth ulcers be a sign of?
In most cases, mouth ulcers are not serious and arise due to things like stress, minor trauma (cheek biting, for example), or eating salty or acidic foods. However, a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed after 3 weeks could be a sign of a serious condition such as oral lichen planus, thrush, or cancer.
How does mouth cancer present?
Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth. It can present as a mouth ulcer that hasn’t healed within 3 weeks, a red or white patch in your mouth, a lump in your mouth or on your lip, pain in your mouth, difficulty swallowing or speaking, or a lump in your neck or throat.