Genital wart biopsy & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is a genital wart biopsy?

Your doctor can take a sample or biopsy of abnormal tissue. Most warts do not require a biopsy, but a biopsy can be performed if genital warts cannot easily be identified by physical examination or gynecological tests using light examination tools (colposcopy). A microscope test on the biopsy tissue can help your doctor find out if you have human papillomavirus (HPV) on your genitals.

When should I have a genital wart biopsy?

You can do a biopsy if there is any of the following evidence:

your doctor isn't sure what type of abnormal tissue you have
warts do not respond to treatment
warts look unusual

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before having a genital wart biopsy?

Treatment for abnormal cells includes watchful waiting without medication, medical treatment, or removal of the abnormal tissue. The decision to do a biopsy will be based on whether the biopsy results are likely to influence treatment.

If the biopsy confirms male genital, vaginal, or perianal warts, medical treatment is your choice. Sexual intercourse should be avoided until the biopsy area is treated.

Process

What should I do before undergoing a genital wart biopsy?

A biopsy can be done at your doctor's office or clinic. You may be injected with a local anesthetic.

How is the genital wart biopsy process?

A small sample of tissue (biopsy) can be taken from genital warts. The sample is viewed using a microscope. It's usually used for biopsies outside the genital area of both men and women: this includes the vulva, scrotum, or penis. The anesthetic injection can be painful, but it is necessary because the biopsy will be more painful than the injection.

What should I do after having a genital wart biopsy?

After you have your biopsy, you may feel vaginal pain for a day or two. There may be bleeding or vaginal problems for up to a week after the biopsy. The drained blood will appear darker if Monsel's solution is used in the biopsy. You can use pads for bleeding. Do not use vaginal soap (douche), have sex, or use tampons for a week, for healing. Don't exercise for 1 day after your colposcopy.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

The findings from the biopsy may include the following:

Normal

No abnormal cells are found, which usually means that HPV is not present.

Abnormal

Found abnormal cells called koilocytes. Koilocytes are cells that appear hollow or concave when examined under a microscope. Koilocyte cells collect from abnormal anal or genital areas and indicate HPV infection. Other types of skin disorders can also be found.

Abnormal cervical cell changes caused by HPV will be treated in a different way, which is different from the treatment of genital warts.