title: The case against open neck biopsy.
abstract: Many patients present with lateral neck lumps due to benign or malignant conditions, and they may be difficult to differentiate clinically. It is detrimental to perform an open neck biopsy on a patient with a cancer originating from the head and neck region (upper aerodigestive tract or skin) prior to definitive treatment. The biopsy interferes with the assessment and management of the neck, increasing morbidity. It may also decrease curability and perhaps induce fungation. A protocol to avoid the need for an open biopsy, using fine needle aspiration cytology and a thorough examination of the upper aerodigestive tract is recommended. The authors also recommend combined radical radiotherapy and surgery for the patient who has had an open biopsy. A thoughtless biopsy is both needless and harmful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleid
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Millar
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate