Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü
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1 - 2 hours (depending on the size of the crowd)
Permanent (Lifetime)
1 week
General Anaesthesia
The neck region is a complex anatomical structure containing a high concentration of lymph nodes, the thyroid gland, salivary glands, muscles, vessels, and nerves. Palpable swellings or masses in this area rightfully cause concern in our patients.
Neck Masses can be congenital cysts, growths due to infections, or benign/malignant tumors. In Istanbul, Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü maintains a meticulous approach to the differential diagnosis and surgical treatment of neck masses, prioritizing the preservation of vital vascular and nerve structures in the region.
When a neck mass is noticed, it is of vital importance to consult an ENT specialist without panicking but also without delay. While most masses are benign, painless and hard masses—especially those appearing in adults—require detailed investigation.
We examine swellings in the neck in three main groups based on their origin:
These usually appear during childhood or young adulthood.
Branchial Cyst: Soft masses on the side of the neck that usually swell following an infection.
Thyroglossal Cyst: Movable masses located exactly on the midline of the neck, associated with the base of the tongue.
Hemangiomas: Lumps originating from blood vessels.
Swelling of the lymph nodes (Lymphadenopathy) due to causes such as dental infections, tonsillitis, or tuberculosis. These are generally painful and shrink with treatment.
Benign: Masses such as lipomas (fatty tumors) or neurofibromas.
Malignant: Salivary gland cancers, thyroid cancers, lymphomas, or the spread (metastasis) of a cancer from the mouth/throat region to the neck.
Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü utilizes all the possibilities of technology during the diagnostic process. Following a physical examination, the structure, boundaries, and neighboring relations of the mass are determined via Neck Ultrasonography, MRI, or CT (Tomography). For a definitive diagnosis, a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) is usually performed.
This procedure involves entering the mass with a thin needle under ultrasound guidance to take a cell sample; it is painless and serves as a guide for diagnosis.
For masses where surgical treatment is decided (especially cysts and those with suspicion of a tumor), the operation is performed under general anesthesia. Neck surgery requires “microscopic precision” because the carotid arteries going to the brain and important nerves providing facial, shoulder, and tongue movements pass through this region.
Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü protects these structures by using advanced techniques such as Nerve Monitoring and removes the mass with clean margins (along with its capsule).
After neck surgeries, our patients are generally hosted in the hospital for 1-2 days. Thin tubes called “drains” may be placed to remove blood accumulating in the area, and these are removed upon discharge.
Scar Status: Incisions are generally made by hiding them within the natural folds of the neck (Langer’s lines). Since aesthetic suturing techniques are used, when healing is complete, the scar remains as a fine line and does not attract attention.
No. The vast majority of masses seen in children and young people are inflammatory or congenital benign cysts. However, in individuals over the age of 40, newly emerging, hard and painless masses should be approached with suspicion and must be investigated.
This is a very common and mistaken belief among the public. Needle biopsy or surgical biopsy does not spread cancer. On the contrary, knowing the type of cancer is essential for planning the correct treatment (chemotherapy or surgery?). Biopsy saves lives.
The nerves that move the vocal cords pass through the neck region. These nerves are particularly at risk in thyroid surgery or deep neck masses. However, with the nerve monitoring and surgical expertise used by Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü, this risk is minimised.
Branchial or thyroglossal cysts may become infected over time and abscess, may form a fistula (a leaky opening) in the neck, or, very rarely, may become cancerous over the years. Therefore, surgical removal is the most appropriate approach once they are diagnosed.
In the early stages, there may be slight limitations due to tension at the suture site, but this is temporary. Except for very extensive cancer surgeries (neck dissection), mass removal does not cause permanent loss of movement.
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