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Head/neck cancer - suspected - Management
General recommendations
- A patient who presents with symptoms suggestive of head and neck or thyroid cancer should be referred to an appropriate specialist or the neck lump clinic, depending on local arrangements (D).
- Any patient with persistent symptoms or signs related to the oral cavity in whom a definitive diagnosis of a benign lesion cannot be made should be referred or followed up until the symptoms and signs disappear. If the symptoms and signs have not disappeared after 6 weeks, an urgent referral should be made (D).
- Primary healthcare professionals should advise all patients, including those with dentures, to have regular dental checkups (D).
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