Biopsy of Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)

Your doctor may take a sample, or biopsy, of abnormal tissue. The majority of warts do not require a biopsy. But a biopsy may be taken if Reference genital warts Opens New Window cannot be easily identified with a physical exam or during a gynecology exam with a lighted magnifying instrument (Reference colposcopy Opens New Window). A microscopic exam on the biopsied tissue can help your doctor find out whether Reference human papillomavirus (HPV) Opens New Window is present.

The biopsy can be done in your doctor's office or clinic. You may have an injection of a numbing medicine (Reference local anesthetic Opens New Window). This is more likely to be used for biopsies of the outer genital area on both men and women: this includes the Reference vulva Opens New Window, Reference scrotum Opens New Window, or penis. The injection can be painful. But local anesthetic is needed when the biopsy is likely to be more painful than the injection.

There usually are no complications after a biopsy.

You may have a biopsy if any of the following are true:

• Your doctor is not sure what type of abnormal tissue is present.
• Warts have not responded to treatment.
• Warts appear unusual.

Findings of a biopsy may include the following:

Normal

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

Abnormal

Abnormal cells called koilocytes are found. Koilocytes are cells that appear hollow or concave when examined under a microscope. Koilocyte cells collected from the genital or anal areas are abnormal and indicate infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Other types of skin lesions also may be found.

Abnormal cervical cell changes caused by HPV will be treated differently from how genital warts are treated.

Treatment for abnormal cells includes watchful waiting without treatment, medical treatment, or removal of the abnormal tissue.

The decision to do a biopsy will be based on whether biopsy results are likely to affect treatment.

If a biopsy confirms male genital, vaginal, or perianal warts, medical treatment is an option.

Sexual intercourse should be avoided until the biopsy area is healed.

Complete the medical test information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you prepare for this test.

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