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