Head and Neck Tumors

Tumors of the head and neck may originate in the skin, the ears, nose or nasal passage, lips, inside the mouth, tongue, palate, tonsillar area, back of the throat, the larynx (voice box) or around it.  They can also develop in the salivary glands in front of the ears, below the jaw bone, or inside the mouth.  Lymph nodes are normally present throughout the neck and can enlarge with infection or involvement with tumors, such as lymphoma, or spread from other areas of the head and neck.  Some congenital growths or cysts may also become apparent later in life.  Further testing such as endoscopy, biopsy, ultrasound, CT scan or needle biopsy may be recommended.  Surgical procedures include excision of the tumor, excision of the neck mass if benign, removal of the affected salivary gland, or neck dissection with removal of the regional lymph nodes with tumor.