It is sometimes necessary when diagnosing a patient to take a biopsy, or tissue sample. At the offices of the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we take biopsies of the tongue, mouth, and lip. There are various diseases which could affect these body parts which patients need to be aware of, and this week we’re looking at lip biopsies.
Two of the most common diseases lip biopsies are tested for are oral cancer and Sjögren’s syndrome. Lip cancer is a type of oral cancer and can be recognized by the persistent ulcers, lumps, and discoloration it causes. Fortunately, lip cancer has much higher survival rates than other types of oral cancer due to the ease of detecting it and applying treatment. Diagnosing it requires a sample of the suspicious tissue to be cut away. Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory immune disorder which causes dry mouth and dry eyes. In order to test for it, a biopsy needs to be taken of the salivary glands. There are several of these on the inside of the lower lip which can be plucked easily after the patient has been numbed (and hundreds more throughout the mouth). Once a few glands have been removed, the lip may be sutured. It is recommended that patients do not take anti-inflammatory medicine in the weeks prior to getting a biopsy and that they stick to soft, non-sticky foods until they have healed.
The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.
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