Finding a lump anywhere on your body is an understandably alarming experience, but most lumps aren’t cancerous. If you have a neck mass, it could be benign, but to make sure, visit the expert doctors at Flagstaff Surgical Associates. In Flagstaff, Arizona, the experienced doctors can diagnose the cause of your neck mass and provide the most up-to-date medical and surgical treatments. Call Flagstaff Surgical Associates today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.

What is a neck mass?

A neck mass is a lump anywhere on your neck. There are numerous reasons why you might have a lump on your neck, including:

  • Sinus infections
  • Dental infections
  • Strep throat
  • Mononucleosis (mono)

Most neck masses are benign, which means they’re not cancerous. Neck masses typically disappear when you recover from the condition that’s causing the problem.

However, if you have a neck mass or lump that doesn’t go down after two weeks, you should visit Flagstaff Surgical Associates for a diagnosis. It’s possible that the mass could be a sign of head or neck cancer or a thyroid gland tumor.

What are head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers are malignant growths that can develop in your:

  • Throat
  • Larynx
  • Nose
  • Sinuses
  • Mouth
  • Salivary glands

Tobacco use, both smoking and chewing, causes around 85% of all head and neck cancers. The other main risk factor is excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption. Infections, family history, and other factors can also make you more likely to develop head and neck cancer.

What is thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a growth that develops on your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is at the front of your neck. It makes thyroid hormones, which regulate many key body functions, including your metabolism.

Thyroid masses are often goiters, where the gland swells in size. Goiters aren’t cancerous, and the swelling is typically large enough to see. Thyroid cancer can produce a neck mass, but in many cases, the growth is very small.

As it increases in size, you might be able to feel the thyroid tumor, and it can begin to cause breathing and swallowing difficulties.

How is a neck mass treated?

Treatment of your neck mass can vary according to the underlying cause. The priority is to determine whether your neck mass is cancerous, so Flagstaff Surgical Associates carries out tests to find out what’s causing the lump.

If you have a cancerous neck mass, your provider is likely to recommend surgery to remove the lump and some surrounding tissue. You might need to have nearby lymph nodes removed as well.

If your neck mass isn’t cancerous, treatment depends on what effect the lump is having on you. If the neck mass is interfering with your breathing or making it hard to swallow, for instance, then removing it would relieve your symptoms.

Flagstaff Surgical Associates most often uses minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove neck masses, and the doctors perform many procedures on an outpatient basis.

If you’ve had a lump in your neck for more than a couple of weeks, call Flagstaff Surgical Associates today or book an appointment online.