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 Neck Lumps
Most neck lumps are harmless and shouldn’t cause immediate alarm. However, it's always wise to have any neck lump lasting longer than 3 weeks assessed and diagnosed by an expert.
Neck lumps are often caused by swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes play an important role in fighting infections and when an infection occurs in the head and neck, they may swell and become tender. Lymph nodes will usually return to normal once the infection has gone but this can take weeks.
Many other benign conditions also cause neck lumps, such as thyroid nodules, congenital lumps such as a thyroglossal duct cyst or branchial cleft cyst, and salivary gland stones and infections.
Occasionally, a neck lump can be caused by something more serious such as a cancer. The cancer may have spread to lymph nodes after starting in the throat, mouth, thyroid gland, skin or other parts of the head and neck.
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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.
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 should be promptly assessed. Timely diagnosis is important as a neck lump in an adult may be the first sign of cancer.
Should I try antibiotics first?
Routine antibiotics do not usually help neck lumps and may delay diagnosis. Most 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.
