• Listen carefully to the instructions
• Introduce yourself
• Establish the patient's details - name, age, occupation
• Straight questions about the lump / ulcer
• Relevant surgical questions - fitness for anaesthesia

Onset

• What made you notice the lump?
• When did you notice it?
• Were there any predisposing events? 

Continued symptoms

• How does it bother you?
• Has it changed?
• Are there any other lumps?
• Has it ever healed?

Treatments and cause

• What treatments have you had in the past for this lump?
• What do you think is the cause of the lump?