“My ENT found a mass in my neck. What could it be?”
During a recent exam, my ENT found a mass in my neck and drew fluid from it to send to a pathologist for testing. I'm terrified. What are some of the things this mass could be?
6 Answers
Mass in your neck have different etiologies (causes). It could be an ear or sinus infection, dental infection, strep throat, mumps, or a goiter (hypothyroidism). The most common causes are reactive adenitis(inflammation). Usually bacterial lymph node infection. Neck masses can be benign so they can be a sign of infection or something more serious, such as cancer. A complete medical history and the appropriate test should be investigated. Contact your provider to check and be treated accordingly. Thank you.
It could be a cyst from a goiter, salivary glandular tissue or a lymph node. Usually these sorts of things are benign, but the possibility of a malign process must be excluded. Was other testing done as well? Your doctor will incorporate those results along with the pathology and develop a course or action.Good luck.
RB Thomas,MD
RB Thomas,MD
There are many possible causes for a mass in the neck due to the complicated anatomy, which includes structures such as lymph nodes and salivary glands. Most masses are benign, while a few are malignant (cancer). If your physician was able to aspirate fluid, then the fluid will be sent to a cytopathologist, who can usually help us diagnose the cause of the mass. Often, imaging, such as a CT scan, will help us make the diagnosis. Some cases need excisional biopsy, a small surgery to remove a large portion of the mass.
We wish you the best!
We wish you the best!
Hi!
Having a neck mass can certainly cause some anxiety, especially as you're waiting for the results of your biopsy. The diagnosis of a neck mass is rather broad. Depending on your age, certain diagnoses are more common than others. Generally, the younger the patient, the more likely chance that the mass is due to inflammation. In older adults, a neoplasm (either malignant/cancerous or benign/noncancerous) is more likely. However, other possible causes could be infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune and congenital (something you were born with, but may present as the person gets older).
Having a neck mass can certainly cause some anxiety, especially as you're waiting for the results of your biopsy. The diagnosis of a neck mass is rather broad. Depending on your age, certain diagnoses are more common than others. Generally, the younger the patient, the more likely chance that the mass is due to inflammation. In older adults, a neoplasm (either malignant/cancerous or benign/noncancerous) is more likely. However, other possible causes could be infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune and congenital (something you were born with, but may present as the person gets older).
Depending on your age and site of the mass. It may represent a cyst (acquired or congenital), a reactive lymph node, inflamed salivary gland or a tumor (benign or malignant). The material sent for pathological examination may reveal its nature. Sometimes a biopsy or resection of the mass is required for a complete pathological evaluation.
There are multiple organs and structures that are located or pass through neck, so it's very important to exactly mention the location and size of the mass. For example, at the front of the neck, you have a thyroid and if there is a swelling in the front of the neck, it could be an enlarged thyroid gland, lymphatic chains pass on both sides of the neck, so sometimes an enlarged lymph node appears as swelling on the sides of the neck. It is important to understand the size and location to determine the possible source and any further interventions can be decided based on that.
