If a biopsy reveals chronic inflammation in a suspicious lesion, what is the next appropriate step?

When a biopsy reveals chronic inflammation in a suspicious lesion, it indicates that there is an ongoing inflammatory process, but it does not provide definitive information about the nature of the lesion, such as whether it is benign or malignant. The presence of chronic inflammation suggests that further investigation is warranted to assess the risk associated with the lesion.

Repeating the biopsy allows for a more thorough evaluation, which can include different sampling techniques or additional tissue analysis to determine if there are any atypical or malignant cells present. This step is critical before making any treatment decisions, as understanding the exact nature of the lesion will inform the appropriate management strategy.

Options like simply informing the patient and rescheduling, providing instructions for warm saline rinses, or surgically excising the lesion without further evaluation do not adequately address the uncertainty regarding the suspicious lesion. These approaches do not provide the necessary information to determine the nature of the lesion, risking a missed diagnosis of a potentially serious condition. By choosing to repeat the biopsy, the provider takes a proactive approach to ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate and effective care based on the definitive characteristics of the lesion.