Evaluation of The Neck Mass

As public awareness of the various warning signs of malignancy increases, so does the concern evoked by the self identified finding of mass in the head and neck area. Not all the palpable masses are always significantly abnormal, but any nontender mass especially to the adult is significant enough to warrent further full investigation and follow up, the object of which should be to determine the possibility of malignancy and urgency of treatment. Approach to the diagnosis of the neck mass is so important in that it affects decision regarding further evaluation would lead to the determination of the most efficacious mode of therapy, eventually to the good prognosis. So, it should be emphasized that approach to the diagnosis of neck mass should be planned, systematic and thorough, this begins with the taking careful history following performance of complete examination of the head and neck especially to the nasopharynx, tongue base, pyriform sinus, palatine tonsil and larynx. Then a number of laboratory and radiologic studies are available, following triple endoscopy under general anesthesia and blind biopsy if needed. The most important rule to keep is that any biopsy procedures should be delayed to the last modality of effort to the diagnosis and if it should be done, under the plan of radical neck dissection.