Neck Mass Program

Our head and neck cancer surgery team established the UCSF Neck Mass Program to provide expedited evaluations and diagnoses to patients with an abnormal lump or swelling in the neck. We take same-day referrals and offer in-office diagnostic procedures. Our goal is to spare patients from having to wait for testing appointments and results, so they can get the right care quickly.

A neck mass can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It may have any number of causes, ranging from an infected salivary gland to a thyroid cyst to a tumor. Our specialists are experts in the neck's complex anatomy and the range of conditions that a mass might represent. This knowledge allows us to perform comprehensive evaluations quickly and give you answers.

To determine the cause of a neck mass, we do a thorough workup, starting with a physical exam. We generally use several diagnostic tools to help us reach a conclusion. You may undergo the following:

• Ultrasound – This noninvasive test uses sound waves to produce images of structures deep within the neck. We offer in-office ultrasound, so patients never have to leave the building.
• Laryngoscopy – We pass a lighted flexible instrument with a tiny camera down the throat in order to examine the larynx (voice box) and upper airway. Patients are awake for the procedure, but we numb the throat beforehand.
• Fine needle biopsy (FNA) – Our cytopathology team uses a tiny needle to take a sample of tissue from the mass, which is then examined under a microscope. We can usually perform an FNA on the same day as the initial evaluation, in the same building.
• CT and MRI scans – If more detailed imaging is needed, we will order one or both of these imaging tests.

Once we determine the underlying cause, we work closely with patients and their referring doctors to ensure they get the care they need.