The head and neck contain muscles and soft tissues that help you swallow, breathe, and speak. These areas also include major blood vessels and nerves that control movement and feeling.

They also hold several small but important glands. These glands play a role in digestion and hormone balance. They include:

• Thyroid gland: A butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just below the voice box. It makes hormones that control how your body uses energy, as well as your temperature and heart rate.
• Parathyroid glands: Four tiny glands located behind the thyroid. They control calcium levels in your blood and bones. They keep your muscles, nerves, and heart working properly.

When something goes wrong in your head or neck, it’s often due to a growth or issue with one of these glands. You may feel pain, pressure, or notice a change in how you swallow or move your neck.

Glands can be swollen or infected. They can also grow an abnormal clump of cells called a tumor. Some growths are harmless, while others might be cancer or may make hormones that could cause symptoms. These need medical care or surgery.

Our ENT experts use the latest imaging and exams to find the cause of these changes. We explain what we find, what to expect, and your care options. We want you to feel informed and confident in your care.

Head and neck disorders can affect glands, soft tissue, or structures in your neck and face. Some problems cause swelling or pain, while others appear as lumps or growths.

Types of head and neck disorders include:

• Neck masses or cysts: Soft or firm lumps in the neck that may come from infection, swollen glands, or fluid-filled cysts. Most are harmless, but some need imaging or removal.
• Thyroid or parathyroid nodules: Lumps or changes in the glands that control hormones and calcium levels. These are common and usually noncancerous but may need testing or surgery.
• Parotid gland enlargement: Swelling in the large salivary gland in front of the ear. It can result from infection, blockage, or a benign growth.
• Benign tumors of the head or neck: Noncancerous growths that can develop in the glands or soft tissue. Care may involve monitoring or surgery to improve comfort and prevent later issues.
• Head and neck cancer: Some lumps or growths are cancerous. Our ENT and oncology experts work together to confirm the diagnosis and plan safe, effective care.

When you first see your doctor, they’ll want to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Your visit starts with a careful exam and full history.

We use the latest imaging and testing to find the cause of swelling, pain, or lumps in your head or neck. Imaging helps us see the size, location, and cause of a lump or swelling.

If needed, we may take a small tissue sample with a fine needle, called a biopsy. This helps guide your care plan.

Care for head and neck disorders includes:

• Medicine: To reduce infection, swelling, or pain, or to treat hormone changes
• Minimally invasive procedures: To remove stones, cysts, or small growths through small incisions
• Image-guided procedures: Used for the precise removal of deeper or delicate structures
• Reconstructive surgery: To restore comfort, appearance, and function of structures in the head and neck
• Endocrine surgery: Special surgery on nodules or enlarged glands

Some head and neck problems involve complex care from multiple doctors and other experts. Your ENT experts will work with endocrinologists, cancer doctors, and radiologists.