Neck Mass Treatment in Phoenix & Glendale, AZ

What is a Neck Mass and What Can Cause It?

A neck mass is a lump or growth in the neck caused by a bacterial or viral infection such as strep throat or the flu, a tumor, or cancer. A neck mass can also be a congenital anomaly present at birth.

When You Should Visit an ENT Specialist about a Neck Mass

If a viral infection causes a neck mass, it may resolve independently without treatment. You should visit your ENT specialist if the neck mass is:

• Not resolving after 2 to 3 weeks
• Getting larger and causing swallowing difficulties
• Causing voice changes, ear pain, or trouble hearing
• Causing nasal blockage and breathing difficulty

You should also visit your ENT specialist if you experience unexplained weight loss or bleeding from your nose or mouth.

What to Expect During an ENT Examination for a Neck Mass

Your ENT specialist will perform a comprehensive physical examination and may recommend a needle biopsy to determine if the neck mass is cancerous or benign.

Treatment of a Neck Mass

Your ENT specialist offers several effective treatments for a neck mass, including:

• Surgery to remove the mass
• Medication to reduce the size of the mass

If the neck mass is cancerous, treatment may also include:

• Radiation therapy to kill abnormal precancerous, or cancerous cells
• Immunotherapy to kill cancerous cells and stop future growth of cancer

What You Can Do to Help Prevent Head and Neck Cancer

Smoking and chewing tobacco are two of the main contributing factors to head and neck cancer, so stopping tobacco use is critical. Doing a self-check of your head and neck regularly can help identify early signs of head and neck cancer. You need to look for new swollen lymph nodes in your neck and moles that have changed in size, shape, or color.

Want To Know More About a Neck Mass?

Talk with the experts to learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of a neck mass. Call Drs. Peter Kaiser, Michael Gutman, and Joseph Chiara at North Valley Ear, Nose & Throat. You can reach them in Phoenix and Glendale, AZ, by calling (602) 688-6500, so call today.