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Oral Surgery · single question

A female patient has a painless, firm, mobile neck mass that has grown over 3 months. What should you do?

  1. Refer to the patient's physician
  2. Refer directly to an oncologist
  3. Incise and drain
  4. Prescribe antibiotics
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Refer to the patient's physician

A painless, firm, mobile, slowly growing neck mass requires evaluation to rule out lymphoma or other neoplasm. The appropriate FIRST step is referral to the patient's physician who will coordinate further workup (FNA, imaging, referral to oncologist if warranted). Dentists don't directly refer to oncologists — they refer to physicians. I&D is for fluctuant abscesses. Antibiotics have no role here.

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