Neck Masses

• Neck masses represent a diverse group of diseases that can develop within the head and neck
• There are 3 broad categories of neck masses:
  • Congenital (ie. branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst)
  • Inflammatory/Infectious
  • Neoplastic (benign and malignant tumors)
• Malignant growths can be associated with cancers of the head and neck originating from the oral cavity, oropharynx, throat, or thyroid
• Other cancers, such as lymphoma, can also present with a neck mass.
• At your consultation, the UMOMSA faculty will perform a detailed history and clinical exam that may also include the use of a specialized fiberoptic camera to look at structures within the mouth and throat
• Patients will likely require imaging with CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to help visualize the neck mass
• A biopsy may be performed in the office setting using a needle technique or with an open surgical technique in the operating room under general anesthesia as an outpatient day case