title: [Lump on the neck of an adult].
abstract: Most neck lumps in adults are benign. The alteration can, however, be the initial symptom of a malignant disease, and any lumps should therefore be inspected without delay. Initial investigations can be performed on an outpatient basis, whereas for further examinations the patient should be referred to a unit specialized in the treatment of head and neck tumors. The diagnosis should always be confirmed before devising a treatment plan. Ultrasonic imaging and microscopy of a fine needle sample constitute the first-line investigations. Open biopsy will hamper the further treatment of the tumor and comes into question only in special cases.
authors.affiliation: TYKS:n korva-, nenä- ja kurkkutautien klinikka, PL 52, 20521 Turku.
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mäkitie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans