Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Is It Needed?ProcedureResultsRisksOutlookFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Is It Needed?
Procedure
Results
Risks
Outlook
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
More formally known as an upperendoscopywith biopsy, this invasive test is done if your healthcare provider suspects a specific condition. Tissue samples from your esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) are taken with tiny tools at the end of a long tube inserted down your throat during the procedure.
This article will explore what to expect during an endoscopy with biopsy, why your provider would need to remove tissue samples, and what to expect after thebiopsy.
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Why Is a Stomach Biopsy Performed?
Somedigestivedisorders can be challenging to diagnose with a blood test, physical exam, or even an endoscopy, so your healthcare provider may want to perform a stomach biopsy.
During an endoscopic exam, your provider may see areas of concern that require a closer look. If this is the case, the endoscopic tools are used to remove a small piece of tissue that can be tested and examined under a microscope.
Some symptoms that may lead to anupper endoscopywith biopsy include:
Upper vs. Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) DiseaseYou may hear agastrointestinal specialisttalk about upper GI disease and lower GI disease. Depending on the condition, it can be difficult to determine if your problem is in the upper or lower digestive tract based on your symptoms alone.The GI tract is divided as follows:The upper digestive tract includes your mouth,esophagus, stomach, andduodenum(the upper part of thesmall intestine).The lower digestive tract consists of the remainder of your small intestine to yourlarge intestine, including thecolonand rectum.Your provider may do separate procedures (upper endoscopyfor the upper GI tract andcolonoscopyfor the lower GI tract) to look at each area to determine the cause of illness.
Upper vs. Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Disease
You may hear agastrointestinal specialisttalk about upper GI disease and lower GI disease. Depending on the condition, it can be difficult to determine if your problem is in the upper or lower digestive tract based on your symptoms alone.The GI tract is divided as follows:The upper digestive tract includes your mouth,esophagus, stomach, andduodenum(the upper part of thesmall intestine).The lower digestive tract consists of the remainder of your small intestine to yourlarge intestine, including thecolonand rectum.Your provider may do separate procedures (upper endoscopyfor the upper GI tract andcolonoscopyfor the lower GI tract) to look at each area to determine the cause of illness.
You may hear agastrointestinal specialisttalk about upper GI disease and lower GI disease. Depending on the condition, it can be difficult to determine if your problem is in the upper or lower digestive tract based on your symptoms alone.
The GI tract is divided as follows:
Your provider may do separate procedures (upper endoscopyfor the upper GI tract andcolonoscopyfor the lower GI tract) to look at each area to determine the cause of illness.
What’s Wrong with My Stomach?
The Procedure
Stomach biopsies are usually done during an upperupper endoscopy. This procedure uses a long, thin tube inserted into the mouth. As the endoscope is advanced down the throat into the stomach, a healthcare provider can see the structure and tissues in the digestive tract.
Endoscopy Prep: How to Prepare
Before you are scheduled for an endoscopy, your provider should review the reason for the procedure and the risks involved. You may not be a candidate for an endoscopy if:
Once your healthcare provider confirms you can safely have the procedure and gives consent, you will be scheduled for an appointment. In some cases, an endoscopy may be done immediately, especially if you are already in the hospital.
If an upper endoscopy is scheduled, your healthcare provider will ask you not to eat or drink for six to 12 hours before the procedure. Small sips of water are OK, but you should avoid drinking large amounts or taking medications. Your provider may also review your regular medications and let you know which you can and can’t take before the procedure.
The Different Types of Endoscopy Procedures
What to Expect During a Stomach Biopsy
When it’s time for your endoscopy, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown and have a tube called aperipheral intravenous (IV) catheterinserted into your arm to administer fluids and medications.
Most endoscopies are performed with the patient being put underconscious sedation, a form of anesthesia in which you remain awake but are sedated enough to feel relaxed. You will also have alocal anestheticapplied in your mouth to make it numb and reduce your gag reflex. You will be positioned on your left side for the procedure, and you will not be able to swallow your saliva or talk.
You should not feel much during the procedure, aside from the movement and pressure of the endoscope. Your healthcare provider will advance the endoscope into your digestive tract using a light and camera to find areas of concern. 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 30–60 minutes.
What to Expect From an Endoscopy for Celiac Disease
Recovery Time
Recovery time after an endoscopy with biopsy will vary depending on the reason for the procedure, your overall health, how much sedation was used, and whether you wereintubatedfor the procedure.
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. Since the procedure is done with sedation, you should have someone with you to drive you to and from the procedure.
Testing and Results
Types of Testing
Another portion of the gastric biopsy will be sent to the lab, where it is preserved and processed into slides for ananatomic pathologist(a scientist specializing in evaluating tissue specimens) to review under a microscope. The evaluation may take two to three days if the sample is routine but may take longer if a specialized assessment is needed.
A healthcare provider may be able to evaluate the upper digestive tract without having to biopsy internally. Special dyes can be placed onto the stomach to look forHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), a type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcer disease and gastritis.
How Long for Results?
Turnaround time for biopsy results will depend on the facility, the workload in the lab performing the tissue examination, and whether or not a culture is needed. Cultures take several days to observe for bacterial growth.
How to Interpret Results
Your provider will consider your health history with the results of the tissue examination to make a diagnosis.
Conditions that can require a stomach biopsy include:
Endoscopy allows your healthcare provider to use a minimally invasive method to remove tissue samples from your digestive tract, but the procedure isn’t free of risk.
Some of the risks that come with endoscopy include:
Signs of Complications
If you experience bleeding or other serious and immediate complications, your healthcare provider will likely see these during the endoscopy or soon after the procedure, while you are still being monitored.
Once you’ve gone home, your provider will give you a list of warning signs to watch for, which include:
Endoscopy with biopsy is an effective tool for diagnosing digestive disorders. 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. Your biopsy results will be used to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and help your healthcare provider create an effective treatment plan.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA 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.Learn MoreAn Overview of Visceral PainAn endoscopy doesn’t have to take long. Timing will depend on how well you tolerate the procedure and what area your healthcare provider wants to examine or biopsy from. Most endoscopies with biopsy can be done in under an hour.
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.Learn MoreAn Overview of Visceral Pain
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.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Visceral Pain
An endoscopy doesn’t have to take long. Timing will depend on how well you tolerate the procedure and what area your healthcare provider wants to examine or biopsy from. Most endoscopies with biopsy can be done in under an hour.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MUSC Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD).International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Upper GI disorders.Austin Gastroenterology.Upper vs. lower GI tract: What are they?American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Appropriate use of GI endoscopy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Upper GI endoscopy.Fairview Health Services.Upper endoscopy.Mégraud F, Lehours P.Helicobacter pylori detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007;20(2):280-322. doi:10.1128/CMR.00033-06Mount Sinai.Gastric tissue biopsy and culture.Peixoto A, Silva M, Pereira P, Macedo G.Biopsies in gastrointestinal endoscopy: When and how.GE Port J Gastroenterol. September 2015;23(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.jpge.2015.07.004
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MUSC Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD).International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Upper GI disorders.Austin Gastroenterology.Upper vs. lower GI tract: What are they?American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Appropriate use of GI endoscopy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Upper GI endoscopy.Fairview Health Services.Upper endoscopy.Mégraud F, Lehours P.Helicobacter pylori detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007;20(2):280-322. doi:10.1128/CMR.00033-06Mount Sinai.Gastric tissue biopsy and culture.Peixoto A, Silva M, Pereira P, Macedo G.Biopsies in gastrointestinal endoscopy: When and how.GE Port J Gastroenterol. September 2015;23(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.jpge.2015.07.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MUSC Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD).International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Upper GI disorders.Austin Gastroenterology.Upper vs. lower GI tract: What are they?American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Appropriate use of GI endoscopy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Upper GI endoscopy.Fairview Health Services.Upper endoscopy.Mégraud F, Lehours P.Helicobacter pylori detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007;20(2):280-322. doi:10.1128/CMR.00033-06Mount Sinai.Gastric tissue biopsy and culture.Peixoto A, Silva M, Pereira P, Macedo G.Biopsies in gastrointestinal endoscopy: When and how.GE Port J Gastroenterol. September 2015;23(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.jpge.2015.07.004
MUSC Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD).
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Upper GI disorders.
Austin Gastroenterology.Upper vs. lower GI tract: What are they?
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Appropriate use of GI endoscopy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Upper GI endoscopy.
Fairview Health Services.Upper endoscopy.
Mégraud F, Lehours P.Helicobacter pylori detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Clin Microbiol Rev. 2007;20(2):280-322. doi:10.1128/CMR.00033-06
Mount Sinai.Gastric tissue biopsy and culture.
Peixoto A, Silva M, Pereira P, Macedo G.Biopsies in gastrointestinal endoscopy: When and how.GE Port J Gastroenterol. September 2015;23(1):19-27. doi:10.1016/j.jpge.2015.07.004
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