Neck lumps and masses

Where could the lump come from?

The lump can arise from the surface of the neck ie the skin to deeper lying structures such as fat and muscles. Other deep organs within the neck include:

Lymph glands
Salivary glands
Thyroid gland
Arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels
Nerves

Should I be concerned?

Broadly speaking, most lumps can be classified into three categories:

Congenital (present at early childhood but presenting later in life)
Inflammatory (due to an acute infection or chronic inflammation)
Neoplastic (can be benign or cancerous)

As a general rule, if it is soft, it is less likely to have a worrying cause. If it goes away on its own, or comes and goes, it is also less likely to be anything serious. If it is red or very tender, it might well be an infection and it may need antibiotics. The most worrying types of lump tend to feel very hard, solid or craggy, and have gradually grown over a period of a few weeks to months.

Diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms

You will need to see a doctor for any lump that persists or enlarges, and especially if it is associated with any of the following worrying symptoms:

Weight loss that is unintended and significant.
Night sweats.
Persistent fatigue.
A change in your voice (such as a hoarseness) that persist more than a month.
Difficulty swallowing or sensation of food getting stuck in the neck.
Feeling out of breath or having difficulty breathing.
Coughing out blood or nose bleed.

The only way to be sure the lump isn't anything to worry about is to visit a head and neck specialist for a comprehensive evaluation. The consultation begins with a detailed history and physical examination. Other than examining your neck, the doctor will also need to examine other related body sites such as your mouth, throat, ears, nose, chest and abdomen.

Will I need any tests?

Depending on what is found on examination and on where the lump is, additional tests are necessary. Simple blood tests may be helpful, to check on your thyroid function, and to rule out blood-related cancers such as lymphomas or leukaemias. They may also be helpful to check for infections such as glandular fever.

An ultrasound of the neck is usually performed during the consultation. This is one of the simplest and most sensitive tests to evaluate the origin of the neck mass, to differentiate between cystic from solid masses, and to get a sense of whether it is benign or malignant (cancerous).

When there is a suspicion of a cancerous growth, the specialist may perform a fine needle biopsy on the mass. This is usually done under ultrasound guidance to enhance the accuracy of the biopsy.

A fine needle biopsy requires little preparation. The specimen is smeared onto a glass slide and sent off to the laboratory for an examination under the microscope. A result is usually ready within three days. The patient often does not feel much discomfort during the procedure and is well enough to resume normal activities immediately after.

A fine needle biopsy of a thyroid nodule.

A nasendoscopy is also usually performed as part of the consultation. This involves the insertion of a fine and flexible lighted instrument through the nostril and carefully maneuvered into the back of the nose and down the throat for a detailed examination. The instrument projects a video image onto an external monitor that can be recorded.

What are the costs of these tests?

Both the ultrasound-guided biopsy as well as the nasendoscopy are classified under the table of surgical procedures (TOSP) by MOH. As such, both procedures are Medisave claimable, subject to the approved surgical limit. If you have an Integrated Shield Plan, you can claim part or all of your surgical bill, depending on your private insurance coverage.

The Specialist Behind Your Care

Dr Thomas Ho

Senior Consultant General Surgeon

20+ Years of Clinical Experience

MBBS(Sydney), MMed(Surg), AFRCS(Ireland), FRCS(Edinburgh), FAMS(General Surgery), FSSO(USA)

Dr. Thomas Ho is a distinguished surgeon well known for his expertise in Cancer Surgery, especially in the field of Head and Neck cancers as well as Abdominal and Digestive cancers. In 2009 he was awarded a MOH scholarship and completed a Surgical Oncology Fellowship in Canada, becoming one of only a handful of surgeons in Singapore with this recognition.

Prior to private practice, Dr. Ho founded the Head and Neck Surgery and Surgical Oncology service at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Dr. Ho is experienced in laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted surgery, which he routinely employs in the treatment of thyroid cancer, colorectal cancer, hernias, gallbladder diseases, adrenal and spleen disorders.

Dr. Thomas Ho is accredited to perform surgery across all private hospitals in Singapore.

Our clinic is accredited to process Medisave claims on your behalf. We partner with major insurance providers to ensure your claims are hassle-free.

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