Hi everyone,

I have to have a tongue biopsy tomorrow as i have a white patche on the top of my tongue in the middle, they are not too concerned about it but i am very concerned about the biospy as it sounds very painful. Can anyone give me a step by step description of exactly what will happen. My main concerns are not being able to swallow during procedure and the injection in my tongue, and if i will be able to talk normally afterwards with a numb tongue???

Worried Sally x

I had one recently, on the side of my tongue.

First the bad news. Hurts like hell. Very sharp, intense pain, and that's just from the needle with the anesthetic. Then the procedure should not hurt, but once the anesthetic wears off, OH MY GAWD. Hurt something fierce.

Now the good news, the pain only lasted for an hour or so, and then went away. I have no real residual soreness except for the low grade soreness I always have on the side of my tongue since getting radiation 13 months ago.

Not sure why you would want to swallow during the procedure. It only takes a minute or so. Your speech should return to normal after a few hours, pretty much like going to the dentist and getting novacain.

hi ron, thanks a lot for replying, well i have a few hours before the biopsy, i will have to just try to relax, although easier to say than done with 4 children running around waiting for school!! Thanks for being honest, at least i know what to expect. i will let you know how i get on.

sally