For a small but clinically suspicious oral mucosal lesion, which biopsy technique is appropriate when you want to sample part of the lesion plus a margin for diagnosis?

Correct answer: A. Incisional biopsy

• A. Correct. An incisional biopsy removes a representative portion (with margin) of a larger or uncertain lesion to establish a diagnosis before definitive treatment.
• B. Excisional biopsy removes the entire lesion — reserved for small, clearly benign lesions.
• C. Brush cytology only screens surface cells and cannot give a definitive architectural diagnosis.
• D. FNA samples deep/cystic or glandular masses, not a superficial mucosal lesion.