A stomach biopsy allows your healthcare provider to examine tissues under a microscope.
This can help your provider diagnose conditions that affect yourstomach and digestive tract.
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Why Is a Stomach Biopsy Performed?
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During an endoscopic exam, your provider may see areas of concern that require a closer look.
The Procedure
Stomach biopsies are usually done during an upperupper endoscopy.
This procedure uses a long, thin tube inserted into the mouth.
In some cases, an endoscopy may be done immediately, especially if you are already in the hospital.
Small sips of water are OK, but you should avoid drinking large amounts or taking medications.
You will also have alocal anestheticapplied in your mouth to make it numb and reduce your gag reflex.
You should not feel much during the procedure, aside from the movement and pressure of the endoscope.
Tools at the end of the endoscope will be used to collect small samples for further examination.
When the endoscopy and biopsy are complete, the tube will be removed.
Your heart rate, breathing, and other vital signs will be monitored during and after the procedure.
Observation time following the procedure will vary, but the endoscopy should only take 3060 minutes.
Once you are awake and the effects of yoursedationhave passed, you may be sent home.
You could experience fatigue, sore throat, or dull abdominal pain after your endoscopy and biopsy.
Types of Testing
A portion of the biopsy sample will becultured.
A healthcare provider may be able to evaluate the upper digestive tract without having to biopsy internally.
How Long for Results?
Cultures take several days to observe for bacterial growth.
The outlook after your diagnosis will depend on the condition causing your symptoms.
Infections may be treated with antibiotics, while more seriousdiagnoses like cancercould require surgery or other ongoing treatments.
Summary
A stomach biopsy is an outpatient procedure done under light sedation with an endoscope.
You usually get results from this test within a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
A stomach biopsy may result in a dull ache in your abdomen.
This is known as visceral pain.
More of your symptoms will come from the endoscopy procedure used to collect the tissue sample for the biopsy.
This can cause symptoms like sore throat or tiredness.
An endoscopy doesn’t have to take long.
Most endoscopies with biopsy can be done in under an hour.
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