What is the primary method to evaluate a mass for benign versus malignant properties?

The primary method to evaluate a mass for benign versus malignant properties relies on microscopic evaluation. This method involves examining tissue samples under a microscope after they have been prepared through techniques such as biopsy or excision. Microscopic evaluation allows for the assessment of cellular characteristics, tissue architecture, and the presence of atypical cells, which are critical in diagnosing whether a mass is benign or malignant.

Histopathological analysis reveals essential features such as cell morphology, mitotic activity, necrosis, and invasion patterns that are foundational for determining the neoplastic nature of the tissue. While clinical evaluation and imaging techniques can provide supportive information about the mass, they do not provide the definitive cellular detail necessary to distinguish between benign and malignant characteristics. Therefore, microscopic evaluation is the cornerstone in oncopathology for accurately classifying the nature of a tumor.