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Miami, FL
A 57-year-old female asked:

I'm having open biopsy of neck lymph node diagnosed with atypical by previous needle biopsy. is cancer likely to be found?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Herbert Hoover
- Select Specialities - 53 years experience
Not necessarily: More history would be helpful such as is there a past history of cancer anywhere or a current mass in your thyroid or any other part of your body? "Atypical" findings on a fine needle biopsy can be secondary to inflammation and not malignancy. However, excisional biopsy of the node is critical to rule out malignancy. Good luck!
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Last updated Feb 16, 2019

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