[Diagnostic certainty of lymph node biopsy in malignancies]

Bioptic diagnosis of malignant processes in lymph nodes is a difficult method and is less accurate than sometimes expected. After transfer of haematological patients-as a rule to provide specialized treatment-a diagnostic baseline examination of biopsy is useful. The clinician procures for this "second reading" all basic data to improve the diagnostic certainty and deserves support. A controversial character of the assembled data is not associated with any specially or professional skill. It ensues, however, from the general principle of good care of the patient. In oncology a "second reading" is not a novelty. It is a recommended approach during typing according to the international classification of oncological diseases. Assessment of certainty (C factor) is moreover included in assessment of the grade of malignity in the TNM system.