Pathology · single question
A 2 mm white, firm tonsillar lesion that is not easily removed is found in a patient who smokes and drinks alcohol. The best next step is:
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Correct answer: B. Incisional biopsy
- A. A cytologic smear is only an adjunct and cannot definitively diagnose a suspicious solid lesion; it is not the definitive step here.
- B. Correct. A persistent, firm, non-removable white lesion in a high-risk patient (tobacco + alcohol) is suspicious for dysplasia/SCC. An incisional biopsy of a representative area is the definitive diagnostic step.
- C. A panoramic film does not evaluate soft-tissue mucosal pathology.
- D. Delaying biopsy of a suspicious lesion in a high-risk patient is inappropriate.