Information :: Biopsy & Pathology Dr. Lawrence is often called upon to treat other diseases of the mouth and jaws. Your dentist or physician may have referred you for an evaluation of a soft tissue abnormality or something that has been discovered on a radiographic examination.

Abnormalities of any area of our bodies are often referred to as a “lesion”. This term only implies that there is something unusual or abnormal. This term does not imply cancer. Lesions need to be evaluated by examination and gathering of historical information. Correlation of examination findings, historical data, radiographic or other imaging studies as well as other laboratory data will help formulate a diagnosis. Often, a biopsy is needed to determine the microscopic structure and cell type of certain lesions. Biopsy usually, but not always, confirms the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been made, further treatment, if indicated, will be reviewed.

Biopsy can often be performed under local anesthesia. Depending on the nature of the lesion, other anesthetic options would be considered. Some biopsy procedures involve the removal of an entire lesion. At other times it may be best to only remove a small area of the lesion to establish the diagnosis before attempting to “cure” the lesion with total removal.

For a discussion on oral cancer visit the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons website.