ONE-STOP
AHNA Neck Lump Clinic
Our neck lump clinic provides an efficient and rapid assessment of adults with neck lumps. We provide a convenient one-stop solution to get an experienced specialist head and neck surgeon assessment of a neck lump, with ultrasound scans, endoscopy and biopsies during the same visit.
Clinical Assessment
Ultrasound Scans
FNA (Needle) Biopsy
Endoscopy
About Adult Neck Lumps
Neck Lump Causes
Most neck lumps in adults are perfectly innocent and are caused by swollen neck lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are distributed throughout the body, with many in the neck, and play an important role in fighting infections. Therefore, when an infection occurs in the head and neck (such as a cold, tonsillitis, or dental infection), the lymph nodes may swell and become tender whilst they do their job. The lymph nodes will usually return to normal once the infection has gone but this can take weeks to months.
Occasionally, enlarged lymph nodes are cancerous. The cancer can spread to them from primary sites such as mouth and tongue cancer, throat cancer, larynx (voice box) cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer and salivary gland cancers.
Many other benign conditions also present as a lump in the neck such as thyroid nodules, congenital lumps such as thyroglossal duct cyst or branchial cleft cyst, and salivary gland stones or benign tumours.
Neck Lump Treatment
A neck lump does not always require removal. Often neck lumps are completely innocent and merely require diagnosis which is usually based on medical history, examination, ultrasound and sometimes an ultrasound guided FNA (needle biopsy).
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Auckland Head & Neck Associates offers comprehensive assessment of all neck lumps through diagnosis to treatment. Dr John Chaplin and Dr Joseph Earles are specialist head and neck surgeons with extensive experience diagnosing and treating neck lumps.
What is a one-stop neck lump clinic?
A neck lump clinic swiftly assesses the cause of a neck lump. Most causes of neck lumps do not require any treatment. However there is a small proportion that are caused by serious diseases. A neck lump clinic can provide timely reassurance and peace-of-mind, or lead to a faster diagnosis and treatment which improves outcomes for patients.
The AHNA neck lump clinic provides an efficient and rapid assessment of neck lumps. We provide a convenient one-stop solution to get an experienced specialist head and neck surgeon assessment of a neck lump, with ultrasound scans, endoscopy and biopsies during the same visit.
Is a one-stop neck lump clinic the same as a multidisciplinary clinic?
No. Neck lump clinics quickly assess a lump to determine its cause, but they do not give a complete diagnosis or determine the best treatment options for tumours causing a neck lump. If a tumour is suspected after assessment in a neck lump clinic, further tests and scans are usually needed.
Do I need an urgent assessment?
Any head and neck lump that is larger than 1cm and has been present for 3 weeks or more needs urgent assessment. Whilst most neck lumps are harmless, timely evaluation is crucial as a neck lump in an adult may be the first sign of cancer. A neck lump in an adult should be considered malignant until proven otherwise.
Should I try antibiotics first?
Routine antibiotics do not usually help neck lumps and may delay diagnosis. Almost all neck lumps in adults need prompt assessment and this should not be delayed by trying a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics should only be considered in specific cases with clear signs of bacterial infection, such as fever, pain or redness.
