DON’T IGNORE NECK SWELLINGS – CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY
DON’T IGNORE NECK SWELLINGS – By Dr K A Muqeet
Swellings in the neck region are a common problem. Although a majority of them are due to benign conditions there is a rise in the incidence of malignant neck swellings in the new age world. With better understanding of the disease and with the advancement of technology, newer diagnostics and treatment modalities are now available There is scope for better survival and quality of life when the lesions are caught early.
Neck swellings can be nodal (lymph nodes)/ non nodal; benign/ malignant.
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NODAL, BENIGN 1 .Infectious mononucleosis (viral infection) 2. Diptheria, actinomycosis (bacterial) 3. Toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis (parasitic) 4. Histoplasmosis(fungal) 5. Tuberculosis,sarcoidosis,HIV (chronic) |
NODAL, MALIGNANT
1. Primaries like Hodgkin’s and non hodgkins lymphoma, Leukemia 2. Metastatic from upper aerodigestive tract, Infraclavicular malignancy 3. Other draining sites like parotid, eye, scalp, skin, thyroid |
Some autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, Kikuchi, Kimura, Rosai-Dorfman, Castleman’s.
Non nodal swellings include Lymphangioma, Cystic Hygroma, Branchial Cyst, Lipoma, Sebaceous Cyst, Dermoid Cyst, Paraganglioma (Carotid body tumor), Schwannomas, Diverticulae, Laryngocele, Aneurysms, Ranula. Swellings from salivary and thyroid gland pathologies
It is nearly impossible for the common eye to differentiate whether a benign from a malignant lesion. It is highly recommended to see a specialist without delay.
Dr. K A MUQEET MS, FAIS – GENERAL AND LAPAROSCOPIC SURGEON, DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SURGERY, UDAI OMNI HOSPITAL, Chapel Road, Hyderabad.
