ArticleThe Permanente journal2026
Delays in Malignant Neck Mass Diagnosis: Missed Opportunities in Clinical Decision-Making.
Article in The Permanente journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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6 authors.
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Abstract
introductionNeck masses are a common presenting symptom for head and neck cancers and lymphomas. However, the diagnostic pathway for these malignancies remains underexplored.
methodsThe authors reviewed a subset of adult patients with neck masses ultimately diagnosed as malignant. Clinical decisions by primary care physicians (PCPs) and otolaryngologists were assessed. The authors evaluated diagnostic time intervals and biopsy diagnostic rates.
resultsAmong 192 patients, the median time to diagnosis was 21 days. Antibiotics prescribed by PCPs were associated with a 20-day delay (
conclusionsMost patients did not undergo the most optimal diagnostic process. Antibiotic use, PCP-ordered imaging, and delayed or unsuccessful biopsies were common contributors to delay.
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