The type of surgery depends on the cause and location of the lump:

✅ Excisional Biopsy – Complete removal of the lump for diagnostic purposes.
✅ Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Surgery – A minimally invasive technique to extract tissue samples for testing.
✅ Lymph Node Dissection – If cancer is suspected or confirmed in lymph nodes.
✅ Thyroidectomy – Removal of part or all of the thyroid gland if the lump is thyroid-related.
✅ Salivary Gland Surgery – Removal of lumps in the parotid or submandibular glands.

A neck lump may appear suddenly or grow gradually. Common symptoms include:

🔵 Visible swelling or mass in the neck.
🔵 Pain or tenderness around the lump.
🔵 Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia) due to pressure from the lump.
🔵 Hoarseness or voice changes, if the lump affects the vocal cords.
🔵 Swollen lymph nodes that persist for weeks.
🔵 Fever, weight loss, or night sweats (possible signs of infection or malignancy).
If a neck lump does not resolve within a few weeks, consult a specialist immediately.

Neck lumps can have benign or cancerous causes:

Non-Cancerous Causes

✅ Swollen Lymph Nodes – Often caused by infections such as tonsillitis, tuberculosis, or viral illnesses.
✅ Thyroid Nodules or Goiter – An enlarged thyroid gland.
✅ Salivary Gland Disorders – Cysts, tumors, or salivary gland stones.
✅ Lipomas – Fatty, non-cancerous lumps under the skin.

Cancerous Causes

✅ Lymphoma – A type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
✅ Thyroid Cancer – Cancerous lumps in the thyroid gland.
✅ Head and Neck Cancers – Tumors in the throat, larynx, or salivary glands.
✅ Metastatic Cancer – Cancer that has spread from other body parts.

If the neck lump is due to cancer, doctors use staging to assess its severity:

🔵 Stage 1 – Small tumor confined to the neck area.
🔵 Stage 2 – The lump grows but remains within the neck.
🔵 Stage 3 – Cancer spreads to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
🔵 Stage 4 – Advanced stage where cancer spreads to distant organs.

Early detection significantly improves treatment success rates.

To determine the cause of a neck lump, doctors perform:

✅ Physical Examination – Checking the lump’s size, texture, and tenderness.
✅ Ultrasound or CT Scan – Imaging to assess size and location.
✅ Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) – Extracting tissue samples for lab testing.
✅ Blood Tests & Thyroid Function Tests – Checking for thyroid disorders or infections.
✅ MRI or PET Scan – Used for cancer staging and detecting metastasis.

Treatment depends on the cause of the lump:

For Benign Lumps

🔵 Antibiotics – If caused by infection.
🔵 Anti-inflammatory Medications – For swollen lymph nodes or cysts.
🔵 Surgical Removal – If the lump is large, painful, or growing.

For Cancerous Lumps

🔵 Surgery – Removal of the cancerous tumor or affected lymph nodes.
🔵 Radiation Therapy – Kills cancer cells using high-energy rays.
🔵 Chemotherapy – Drug treatment for advanced cancers.
🔵 Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy – Modern treatments for specific cancer cells.

A neck lump should never be ignored, as it may indicate infection, thyroid issues, or even cancer. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for a successful outcome. If you notice a persistent or growing lump, consult a Head & Neck Surgeon for a proper evaluation.