Majority of Head and Neck conditions arise from or are related to the thyroid gland, postnasal space, oral cavity, voice box (larynx), salivary glands, nerves, skin and soft tissues in the neck.
Most Head and Neck Lumps arise from
- Thyroid Nodules, Multinodular Goitre
- Salivary Gland Tumor eg. Parotid, Submandibular
- Lymph Node eg. Lymphoma, Secondary spread from cancer
Head & Neck lumps can also include simple ones such as
- Fatty growths (lipoma),
- Skin lesions such as sebaceous cysts,
- Thyroglossal duct cyst
- Nerve tumours (Schwannomas)
- Vascular tumours (e.g. carotid body tumour)
If a lump persists for more than 4 to 6 weeks, an ENT Specialist consult is warranted.
Certain features of the lump should warrant more urgent assessment. You should see an ENT Specialist if the lump
- Enlarges over a short period of time
- Comes with other lumps (multiple lumps)
- Is fixed to the surroundings
- Is hard
- Arises from the side of the neck rather than the midline.
Treatment of Head & Neck Lumps depends on the origin of the lump.