What is a Biopsy?

•Biopsy is derived from a Greek word

(By-op-see) = Bio – meaning LIFE and
Opsy – TO LOOK(Vision)

•Biopsy is the removal of tissue from a

living organism for the purpose of
microscopic examination and
diagnosis.
introduction
• A systematic approach should be developed in evaluating a
patient with an oral and maxillofacial lesions, which include
the following steps:
• 1. A detailed history
• 2. Clinical examination:
• Extraoral
• Intraoral
• 3.Special investigations: (as appropriate)
• Radiography or other imaging techniques
• Biopsy for histopathology( including immunoflourescence,
immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy etc…)
• Specimens for microbial cultures
• Haematological or biochemical tests.
BIOPSY : When, why, where?
Characteristics of lesions that raise the suspicion of
malignancy

• Growth rate– lesion exhibits rapid growth

• Bleeding— lesion bleeds on gentle manipulation
• Induration– lesion and surrounding tissue is firm to the
touch
• Fixation– lesion feels attached to adjacent structures
• Erythroplakia—lesion is totally red or has speckled red
appearance
• Ulceration—lesion is ulcerated or presents as an ulcer
• Duration— lesion has persisted for more than 2 weeks
 Indication for Biopsy
• Persistent hyperkeratosis changes in surface tissue (ex: lips or oral mucosa)

• Lesion that interfere with local function (ex: fibroma)

• Any inflammatory lesion that does not respond to local treatment after 10 to
14 days (that is after removing local irritant)

• Bone lesions not specifically identified by clinical and radiographic

finding.

• Any lesion persists for more than 2 weeks with no apparent etiology
basis.

• Any lesion that has the characteristics of malignancy .