Clinical Policy Bulletin: Oral Brush Biopsy

The most definitive, accurate, and reliable method for diagnosing oral mucosal lesions is the scalpel biopsy. The oral brush biopsy coupled with computerassisted analysis (OralCDx, OralScan Laboratories, Inc., Suffern, NY) has been developed as a technique for evaluating unexplained clinically detectable alterations of the surface epithelium of the oral mucosa whether cancer or precancer is suspected (Sciubba et al, 2003). The goal of the oral brush biopsy is to provide a highly sensitive and specific technique that is less painful and simpler to perform than a scalpel or punch biopsy.