Head and Neck Tumour Surgery

In the head and neck, vital functions such as speaking, swallowing, breathing, hearing and facial expression sit close together in a small area. That is why, with tumours in this region, the aim is to remove the tumour completely while preserving these functions as far as possible. For malignant tumours, the treatment decision is made together with the relevant specialties, such as radiation oncology and medical oncology.

Which symptoms should be taken seriously?

• A swelling, hardness or lump in the neck lasting longer than two to three weeks
• Hoarseness lasting longer than three weeks
• A sore or patch in the mouth or on the tongue that has not healed for more than two weeks
• Difficulty swallowing, pain on swallowing or pain spreading to the ear
• A painless swelling in front of the ear or under the jaw
• Blockage on one side of the nose and blood-stained nasal discharge
• Unexplained weight loss

Most of these symptoms have benign causes; however, an ENT examination is needed without delay, especially in people who smoke or drink alcohol.

When is a lump in the neck important?

The most common cause of a lump in the neck is a lymph node enlarged by an infection, and most of these shrink by themselves within a few weeks. Lumps that last longer than two to three weeks, grow, feel hard, are painless or are fixed to the skin and surrounding tissue, and lumps that come with hoarseness, difficulty swallowing or weight loss, should be assessed. A lump in the neck can arise from the thyroid gland, the salivary glands, the lymph nodes or the blood vessels; its source is identified with an examination, ultrasound and, if needed, a biopsy.

Treatments in this group

• Parotid and salivary gland tumours: removal of lumps in the parotid gland in front of the ear and in the submandibular gland, while tracing the facial nerve.
• Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer: assessment of nodules, biopsy and, where needed, thyroid surgery.
• Tumours of the larynx (voice box): assessment of persistent hoarseness; voice-preserving operations at an early stage.
• Tumours of the mouth, lip and tongue: biopsy of non-healing sores and patches, surgical treatment and reconstruction.
• Carotid body tumour: assessment with imaging and surgery of the tumour at the fork of the carotid artery.

How is the diagnosis made?

In head and neck tumours, the diagnosis becomes clear in a few steps: a detailed examination and, where needed, an endoscopic examination of the larynx and throat; imaging with ultrasound, CT, MRI or PET-CT; and a pathological diagnosis with a fine-needle or tissue biopsy. Once the definitive diagnosis and stage are known, the treatment options are discussed together with their effects on speech, swallowing and appearance.

How does the process work with Prof. Dr. Öner Çelik?

Prof. Dr. Öner Çelik is a specialist in ear, nose and throat and head and neck surgery. From 2009 to 2024 he worked as a faculty member in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine, and he became a professor in 2020. Consultations take place at the clinic in Suadiye, and operations are performed at Maltepe University Hospital. Bringing any previous ultrasound, CT, MRI and biopsy results to the consultation speeds up the assessment. Details are on the your treatment in Istanbul page.