A number of masses may develop in your head or neck; these\nmasses may also be called growths, tumors, lumps or bumps. While some head and\nneck masses are cancerous, many are not. It is important to see a physician if\nany abnormal bump or lump persists for more than two weeks. If a cancer is\npresent, early detection provides the highest chance of successful treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are numerous causes of head and neck masses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the most common cause of new neck masses. Lymph\nnodes, which are part of the immune system, can enlarge when the body rallies\nto fight an infection. When the infection recedes, lymph swelling subsides as\nwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Benign masses do not spread to surrounding tissue and are\nnot cancerous. Nevertheless, benign masses can be serious if they impact nerves\nor exert pressure in the head and neck, and are often removed surgically. These\ninclude cysts, thyroid masses, vascular masses, salivary gland masses and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When head and neck masses are malignant they can spread to\nsurrounding tissue or to other parts of the body. In the head and neck, tumors\nmay be either primary or secondary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Primary tumors originate in the head or neck itself,\nincluding the thyroid, throat, larynx, salivary gland, brain or other\nlocations. Primary tumors of the head and neck typically spread to the lymph\nnodes in the neck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About 90 percent of head and neck cancers are caused by tobacco\nand alcohol use. People who have been exposed to radiation, either during\nmedical treatments as children (common in decades past) or from nuclear\nradiation sources, are at considerable risk for thyroid cancer and should be\nscreened yearly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondary cancers are tumors that have spread from primary\ntumors in other parts of the body to the head or neck. Most often, secondary\ntumors of the neck originate in the lung, breast, kidney or from skin cancers\n(squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should see your physician if you experience any of the\nfollowing symptoms: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A simple examination of some masses may allow a physician to\ndetermine their cause based on location, size and consistency. In other cases,\nadditional tests may be required. These tests include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Treatments are determined by the cause of the mass. Benign\nneck cysts and masses are usually removed by surgical excision. Head and neck\ncancers may be treated by some combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy\nand surgery, depending on their nature.<\/p>\n\n\n