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University of California San Francisco
Programs

Neck Mass Program

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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.

Our locations (1)

    Our team

    • Ivan H. El-Sayed

      MD

      Otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon
    • Jonathan R. George

      MD, MPH

      Otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon
    • Patrick Ha

      MD

      Otolaryngologist head and neck surgeon
    • Chase M. Heaton

      MD

      Head and neck and reconstructive surgeon

    Awards and recognition

    • U S  News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as part of its 2024 to 2025 Honor Roll

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF among the Best Hospitals for Cancer, 2024-2025

      Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF among the Best Hospitals for Ear, Nose and Throat, 2024-2025

      One of the nation's best for ear, nose & throat care

    Related clinics

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    Head & Neck Surgery Cancer Program

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St., Fifth Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    (415) 885-7528
    Did you know?

    Cutting-edge techniques for mapping the human brain – developed by UCSF neurologists – help us locate language, motor and sensory functions and make surgery safer, more precise and less invasive. Brain mapping may one day lead to therapies for restoring healthy brain circuitry in patients with epilepsy, depression, stroke and other conditions.

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