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

• 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