The ENT NOSE FACE can assess, diagnose and treat the following conditions:
The ENT NOSE FACE specialises in the management of benign and cancerous conditions arising in the head and neck. Although most head and neck cancers occur in the elderly often with a history of smoking, serious conditions can occur in young and otherwise healthy patients. As with all cancers, prevention is better than cure, but early diagnosis of cancer generally leads to a better outcome. If you have worrying symptoms we would much rather see you at an early stage to reassure you it is innocent, than delay the diagnosis of a potentially serious condition.
Any of the below conditions could be a symptom of Head and Neck cancer.
Neck Lump
Most neck lumps are benign and include lumps in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands, thyroid gland and also lymph nodes in the neck. Occasionally a lump in the neck maybe cancerous. All patients require a thorough history and examination and usually an endoscopic examination of the lining of the throat. In additiona a needle sample of the neck lump may be required.
Our Sinus, head and neck cancer surgeon work in a Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team with oncologists, radiotherapists and other allied health professionals such as Macmillan Cancer Support.
Lump in Throat
The feeling of a lump in the throat is a common complaint in adults. It is usually harmless. The symtom is more worrying when associated with the following; earache, difficulty in swallowing, weight loss, painful swallowing, particularly on one side of the throat and of course, in patients who smoke.
A lump in the throat needs a thorough examination, including an endoscopic examination of the lining of the throat. The symptom is often due to benign conditions but always needs appropriate assessment by an ENT surgeon. In addition the throat and oesophagus may need examining with a barium swallow examination or transnasal oesophagoscopy under local anaesthetic or rigid endoscopy under general aesthetic.
Sore Throat
Sore throats may be due to conditions such as the common cold or tonsillitis and occasionally a tonsillectomy is required. A persistent sore throat lasting more than four weeks needs further assessment by an ENT consultant.
Voice Problems
The causes of a hoarse voice are varied, and include benign conditions of the larynx such as vocal cord nodules, polyps, cysts. Sometimes surgical treatment is required with a microlaryngoscopy. Any persistent hoarsness for more than four weeks requires further assessment by an ENT consultant.
Mouth Lesions
Any lump, red or white patch or ulcer that will not go away in four weeks requires further assessment.
Swallowing Problems
Causes of swallowing problems are diverse but may include acid reflux, a pharyngeal pouch or more serious problems including throat or oesophageal cancer. Difficulty in swallowing, particularly obstruction of swallowing and regurgitation of food needs further assessment.
Thyroid Diseases
Enlargement of the thyroid gland is called a goitre. This may be a diffuse enlargement of the whole gland or due to one or more nodules in the gland. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but all need assessment because some are due to serious conditions. A goitre may need monitoring and may cause obstruction to breathing or swallowing difficulties.
Parotid and Submandibular Salivary Gland Disease
Most lumps in the salivary gland are benign and include swelling resulting from the the formations of stones which block the drainage of saliva into the mouth. Benign tumours of the salivary gland require assessment usually with a needle biopsy and ultrasound scan or MRI scan. Malignant tumours of the salivary gland are rare.
Facial Skin Cancer
Most skin cancers occur in the Head and Neck region of the body. Most cancers occur in the more elderly patients but there is a great increase in the occurrence of all skin cancers, especially in the younger patients and often due to excess exposure to sunlight (and sunbeds!)
Any non healing growth of the skin of the face or neck should be assessed by a doctor. A mole that changes in colour or size or which starts to bleed needs an urgent assessment and any skin lump associated with a lump in the neck.