BIOPSY QUESTIONS

1/ A 2cm, discrete, white lesion of the buccal mucosa has not

resolved after elimination of all local irritants. The most
appropriate management would be to
A. cauterize it.
B. apply toluidine blue staining.
C. perform an incisional biopsy.
D. re-examine at 6 month intervals.
E. refer patient to family physician.

2/ A patient presents with a 3.0 cm ulcerated lesion on the lateral

border of the tongue. You would
A. excise the entire lesion.
B. do nothing until the ulcer heals.
C. observe for 14 days to see if the ulcer heals.
D. make a smear for cytologic examination.
E. perform an incisional biopsy.

3/ The most appropriate management of a painless ulcer of two

months duration affecting the lateral border of the tongue is to
A. prescribe systemic antibiotics.
B. perform an incisional biopsy.
C. re-evaluate in 6 months.
D. obtain a complete blood count.
E. obtain a cytologic smear.
4/ In general, a pigmented macule measuring 4mm in diameter
should be treated by
A. incisional biopsy.
B. excisional biopsy.
C. exfoliative cytology.
D. carbon dioxide laser.
E. electrocautery.

5/ The appropriate management for an avascular white lesion, 5 x

3mm in size, that has been present on the buccal mucosa for 6
months and has recently become ulcerated is
A. observation.
B. excisional biopsy.
C. incisional biopsy.
D. aspiration biopsy.
E. cytologic examination.

6/ The appropriate management for a white lesion, 10 x 15mm in

size, that has been present on the buccal mucosa for 6 months
and has recently become ulcerated is
A. observation.
B. excisional biopsy.
C. incisional biopsy.
D. aspiration biopsy.
E. cytologic examination.
7/ The diagnosis of a 1.5cm white patch after incisional biopsy is
severe epithelial dysplasia. The most appropriate management is
A. complete excision.
B. repeat biopsy.
C. radiation therapy.
D. observation.

8/ A patient with leukoplakia had an incisional biopsy. Which of

the following diagnosis does NOT require complete excision?
A. Carcinoma in situ.
B. Severe epithelial dysplasia.
C. Hyperkeratosis.
D. Invasive carcinoma.

9/ An incisional biopsy of a clinically suspicious malignant lesion

fails to support the clinical diagnosis. The most appropriate
management is to
A. reassure the patient that there is no malignancy.
B. contact the pathologist to discuss the case.
C. recall the patient in six months.
D. perform a cytological smear.
10/ A biopsy of a clinically suspicious malignant lesion fails to
support the clinical diagnosis. The most appropriate management
is to
A. assure the patient that there is no malignancy.
B. take a second biopsy.
C. observe the patient yearly.
D. recall the patient in one month.
E. make a cytological smear.
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Answer Keys:
1-C
2-C
3-B
4-B
5-C?
6-C?
7-A
8-C
9-B
10-B