Head and Neck Cancers
EVALUATION OF NECK MASSES IN ADULTS
Head and neck surgeons the world over consider a neck mass in adults as cancer unless proven otherwise. This is not just because cancer is the most common pathology. But this mindset motivates us to evaluate thoroughly its cause, leading to early and accurate diagnosis. Presented here are Clinical Practice Guidelines for the thorough evaluation of the neck mass in adults.
Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific circumstances (Institute of Medicine, 1990). Their purpose is to describe appropriate care based on the best available scientific evidence and broad consensus.
You may choose to listen to the podcast discussing the clinical practice guidelines or read the executive summary.
Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQGcnrp6fNA
Executive Summary:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0194599817723609