Vaginal biopsy

Your doctor may want you to have a biopsy. This means removing a sample of tissue from the vagina. You might have this done during a colposcopy or as a separate test.

The doctor sends the sample to the laboratory where a pathologist  examines it. 

You might have: 

• an excision biopsy

• a punch biopsy

Why do you have this test?

You have a vaginal biopsy to find out if you have pre cancerous changes (VAIN) or cancer of the vagina. If you have cancer, looking at the cells under a microscope will show which type of vaginal cancer it is.

Your doctor may also suggest biopsies of the neck of the womb (cervix) or vulva to rule out these types of cancer, both of which can spread to the vagina.

What happens?

Your doctor or nurse will give you information about the biopsy. They may ask you to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions that you have. 

What happens during the biopsy depends on what type you are having.

Excision biopsy

An excision biopsy is a minor operation. Your doctor removes all or part of the abnormal area of tissue. Your doctor puts the tissue into a small pot and sends it to the laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

They might need to close the cut with a few stitches. These gradually dissolve so you don't need to have them taken out. If the area removed is small then your doctor may put a liquid on top to stop any bleeding rather than using stitches.

You usually have the biopsy in an outpatient clinic. Your doctor might use a local anaesthetic to numb the area. Or you might need a general anaesthetic . Your doctor will tell you if this applies to you.

Punch biopsy

You usually have a punch biopsy as an outpatient using a local anaesthetic. Your doctor takes away a small piece of the abnormal area in the vagina. 

First, you have a small injection to numb the area. Your doctor then uses an instrument that looks like a tiny apple corer to remove a small piece of tissue. You don't usually need any stitches afterwards.

Your doctor puts the sample into a small pot and sends it to the laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

After your Biopsy

If you have a local anaesthetic you can usually get dressed and go home soon after the test.

After a general anaesthetic you will need time to wake up and recover. Whether you can go home the same day or stay in hospital overnight will vary. If you go home on the same day, you need someone to take you home and stay with you for 24 hours.

Possible risks

A biopsy is a very safe procedure but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after your test. 

Bleeding

You may have slight bleeding for a few days afterwards. Your doctor or nurse will give you advice on what to do if you have any bleeding.

Soreness

You may have some soreness for a few days around the area the biopsy was taken from. Mild painkillers can help.

Getting your results

Before you leave hospital make sure you know how you will be given the results. You may be asked to return to the hospital for an outpatient appointment to get the results. Or the results may be sent in the post.

Waiting for test results can be a very worrying time. You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can contact for information if you need to. It can help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel.

Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you don't hear anything.