May 06, 2023

1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom

Empowerment
Head and Neck
objective - for
Consciousness
laypeople to have a
Week
basic understanding
of NECK MASSES in
NECK MASSES
their health
management.
 May 06, 2023
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom
Welcome all!

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Head and Neck Sign in your name, FB
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Consciousness
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basic understanding
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NECK MASSES questions and make
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Reminder after the PEP
Talk:

Take the Online Learning

cum Evaluation Test
Exercise (OLETE) for
mastery of learning and
have a perfect score to get
a Certificate.

Link is in Chat Box.

Reminder:
50 OLETE Certificates = 1
Voucher for ROJoson
Telemedical Consultation
 ROJOSON’S REQUEST:

FEEDBACK TO THIS
Empowerment PEP TALK!
Head and Neck
objective - for
Consciousness Pls. type in your
laypeople to have a feedback in the chat
Week
basic understanding box during the open
of NECK MASSES in forum and before we
NECK MASSES adjourn!
their health
management.
Thank you!
 LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
Empowerment START PEP TALK
Head and Neck
objective - for PROPER IN 2
Consciousness MINUTES!
laypeople to have a
Week
basic understanding
Pls. turn on your
of NECK MASSES in
NECK MASSES video!
their health Show your face!
management.
 ROJoson PEP Talk
Empowerment
Head and Neck I have a Patient
objective - for
Consciousness Empowerment
laypeople to have a
Week Program in which I
basic understanding like to empower the
of NECK MASSES in lay people or
NECK MASSES
their health patients to take
management. control in the
management of
their health.
I started the PEP Talk
on May 15, 2021.
There are 3 courses
in the PEP Talk.
I completed the Core
Course on October 9,
2021.
 From October 23,
2021 onwards, I have
been tackling Health
Disorder and Health
Issue Courses. This
may take 3 years or
longer depending on
our enthusiasm and
perseverance.
 My PEP TALK today is
entitled:

Empowerment NECK MASSES

Head and Neck
objective - for
Consciousness In consonance with
laypeople to have a
Week DOH Health
basic understanding Awareness Calendar
of NECK MASSES in - HEAD AND NECK
NECK MASSES
their health CONSCIOUSNESS
management. WEEK (APRIL)
Head and Neck Contents
•
Consciousness • When and what is the HEAD and NECK Consciousness Week in the Philippines?
What is the HEAD and NECK?
Week • What are NECK MASSES?
• What are the different types of NECK MASSES?
• What the different causes of NECK MASSES?
NECK MASSES • What are the more common NECK MASSES in the Philippines?
• How to recognize common NECK MASSES?
• What are the usual diagnostic procedures for NECK MASSES?
• What are the usual treatment modalities of NECK MASSES?
• What are ROJoson’s health advice on how to manage NECK MASSES on a personal
level?
 Last week of April is
Head and Neck
Consciousness
NECK MASSES Week.

There is a
Presidential
Proclamation 1676
(2008) initiating this.
 This event aims to
increase public
awareness on the
NECK MASSES cancers of the head
and neck region
(includes oral cavity,
nasopharynx, larynx,
thyroid) and to
promote primary
prevention, screening
or early detection
NECK MASS CONSCIOUSNESS and optimal
treatment and care.
WEEK - ROJoson
 What is HEAD AND NECK CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK
in the Philippines?

NECK MASSES • Week to make people aware of the cancers of

the head and neck region (particularly oral
cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, thyroid) and to
promote primary prevention, screening or
early detection and optimal treatment and
care.
NECK MASS CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK
• Week of empowering the people on the NECK
MASSES.
 What is the Head and
Neck?
“Head and neck”
NECK MASSES refers to regions in the
human body, the head
and the neck.  The
head is the upper
most region of the
human body when the
person in a standing
position.   The neck is
just below the head
and connects the head
to the chest or thorax. 
 What is the Head and
Neck?
On the surface, a
NECK MASSES horizontal imaginary plane
just below the jaw can be
designated as the
boundary between the
head and the neck
regions.  So, all parts of
the human body above
this imaginary plane
belong to the head region
It must be emphasized that the boundary designation is
not uniformly contained in one plane.  It is just used as and those below, to the
an operational designation by the medical scientists. neck region.
NECK MASSES What are NECK MASSES?

Masses below the

imaginary plane between
the head and neck regions
are considered NECK
MASSES.
 What are NECK MASSES?

NECK MASSES Masses below the

imaginary plane between
the head and neck regions
are considered NECK
MASSES.

FRONT BACK - NAPE

 The key organs and
specialized tissues within the
What are NECK MASSES? neck region:
NECK MASSES •Neck skin and soft tissues
Masses arising from the •Lymph nodes
various organs and •Thyroid gland
•Parathyroid glands
specialized tissues of the •Trachea (or windpipe)
NECK. •Lower throat (hypopharynx)
•Esophagus (neck part)
•Blood vessels
•Nerves
•Muscles

FRONT BACK - NAPE

 NECK MASSES = NECK TUMORS = NECK LUMPS

MASS / TUMOR / LUMP is an unusual and

NECK MASSES abnormal collection of tissues occupying a space
in any area or part of the human body. 
It may be of any size or shape.
It may be of any consistency. 
It may be cystic, solid, or complex. 
By itself, it can be of any etiology, either cancer or
not cancer, until determined by further
assessment.
 NECK MASSES = NECK TUMORS = NECK LUMPS

A mass / tumor / lump has to be differentiated

NECK MASSES from prominence, induration, swelling of tissues
and enlargement of organs.
Prominence of a tissue means it is more protruding than usual but there is no space-
occupying mass. 

Induration of a tissue means it is thicker and harder on palpation than usual but there is
no space-occupying mass. 
 
Swelling of tissues without an accompanying space-occupying mass is mere swelling. 

Enlargement of an organ without an accompanying space-occupying mass is mere

enlargement. 
 What are the different types of NECK MASSES?

TYPES:
NECK MASSES • Based on location of the masses in or on the
neck
• Central neck masses
• Lateral or side neck masses
• Front neck masses
• Back or nape masses
 The key organs and
What are the different types of NECK MASSES? specialized tissues within
the neck region:
TYPES: •Neck skin and soft
NECK MASSES • Based on specialized organs and tissues of tissues
origin on the neck such as •Lymph nodes
• Thyroid •Thyroid gland
•Parathyroid glands
• Parathyroid
•Trachea (or windpipe)
• Neck skin
•Lower throat
• Based on type of cells of origin such as (hypopharynx)
• Adenocarcinoma •Esophagus (neck part)
• Sarcoma •Blood vessels
• Squamous cell carcinoma •Nerves
•Muscles
 What are the different types of NECK MASSES?

TYPES:
NECK MASSES • Based on types of disorders of neck masses
Different types of
such as
disorders of neck
• Inflammatory masses
masses
• Infectious masses
• Non-malignant new growth masses
based on the general
(benign)
causes
• Malignant new growth masses (cancer)

4 main causes of
neck masses
 What are the more common NECK MASSES in the
Philippines?

NECK MASSES • Thyroid masses

Different types of
• Lymph nodes on the neck (abnormally
disorders of neck
enlarged ones)
masses

based on the general

causes

4 main causes of
neck masses
 What are the different causes of NECK MASSES?

• Inflammation
NECK MASSES • Infection
• Non-malignant new growth (benign)
• Malignant new growth (cancer)

What the different causes of NECK CANCERS?

• Genetic mutation – hereditary / spontaneous
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Virus
• Radiation
 What are the different causes of NECK MASSES?
Examples:
• Inflammation – inflammation of lymph
NECK MASSES nodes
• Infection – Tuberculosis of lymph node,
laryngitis
• Non-malignant new growth (benign) –
benign thyroid nodule; benign
submandibular gland tumor
• Malignant new growth (cancer) –
malignant thyroid nodule; malignant
submandibular gland tumor
 What are the more common diagnostic tests for
NECK MASSES?

NECK MASSES Being done as indicated:

• Ultrasound
• Needle biopsy
• Thyroid function tests
• Parathyroid function tests
 What are the more common treatment
modalities for NECK MASSES?

NECK MASSES Being done as indicated:

• Surgery
• Radioactive iodine
• Medications
• Chemotherapy
 How to diagnose a neck mass? Based on location,
have an initial
Chief concern: “neck mass “ tentative diagnosis.
NECK MASSES Later, zero in with
Ask when noted. more physical
Look at and palpate neck to check if a real examination to get to
(dominant) neck mass is present or not. a more specific
diagnosis.
If present, determine the location of the neck
mass / es.
• Front central – usually thyroid
- Front central
- Front side mass
• Front side – usually lymph nodes
- Nape
• Nape – usually soft tissue mass
 How to diagnose a neck mass? If the front central neck
mass does not move with
swallowing, chances are
If neck mass is in the front central, commonly a it is something else such
NECK MASSES thyroid mass, as a soft tissue mass in
confirm by asking patient to swallow. the area.
Note, however, a huge
If the mass moves up and down with swallowing, fixed thyroid cancer may
not move with
99% chance, it is a thyroid mass. swallowing.
 How to diagnose a neck mass? If the front lateral neck
mass does not move with
swallowing, 99% chance
If neck mass is in the front lateral, commonly a it is a lymph node until
NECK MASSES lymph node, there are other data to
confirm by asking patient to swallow and ensure consider something else
that it does not move with swallowing before like a soft tissue tumor.
saying it is a lymph node neck mass.
 How to diagnose a neck mass? If the back neck mass is
located in the usual areas
of lymph nodes, 99%
If neck mass is in the back or nape, commonly a chance it is a lymph node
NECK MASSES soft tissue tumor, as long as it is not located in the until there are other data
usual lymph node areas. to consider something
else like a soft tissue
tumor.
 How to diagnose a neck mass?

Another approach in diagnosing a neck mass after

NECK MASSES determining its location and source of origin is to
use this algorithm to decide whether it is
inflammatory / infectious; malignant or non-
malignant.
First look for cues for inflammation / infections such as redness and
tenderness. If present, most likely inflammatory / infectious.
If none, then look for cues for malignancy such as hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If present, most likely malignant.
In none, most likely non-malignant. More so, if the neck mass is cystic
(with fluid), chances are it is benign.
 First look for cues for
How to diagnose a neck mass? inflammation / infections
such as redness and
Another approach in diagnosing a neck mass after tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES determining its location and source of origin is to most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
use this algorithm to decide whether it is If none, then look for cues
inflammatory / infectious; malignant or non- for malignancy such as
malignant. hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
THYROID CANCERS
Alert symptoms:
• Nodule / nodules or lump / lumps on
the front and central neck
• Nodule /nodules on the side of the
neck – lymph nodes
• Hoarseness of voice in the presence
of a central neck lump
 Illustrations
Lymph nodes or kulani
It is normal to have lymph nodes in the body as these protect the body
NECK MASSES
from infection or other diseases.
Lymph nodes become abnormal if they are enlarged or contain cancer.
 Illustrations
Lymph nodes or kulani
It is normal to have lymph nodes in the body as these protect the body
NECK MASSES
from infection or other diseases.
Lymph nodes become abnormal if they are enlarged or contain cancer.
 Illustrations
If lymph nodes in the neck are palpable, they are automatically
considered as UNUSUAL (as usually they are not palpable).
NECK MASSES
Once palpable, it means something is happening. The palpable lymph
nodes may either be inflammatory (virus / bacterial); infectious (TB) and
cancerous (metastatic cancer or lymphoma).
 Illustrations
Common causes of abnormal lymph node enlargement:
1. Nonspecific or reactive hyperplasia or enlargement (usually due to
NECK MASSES
secondary inflammation from somewhere – virus / bacterial)
2. Metastatic
3. Lymphoma / TB
 Illustrations
Non-specific cervical lymphadenopathy – ROJoson Personal Experience
Neck: mass, 1 cm, right infra-auricular area, discrete, non-tender (primary diagnosis –
NECK MASSES nonspecific lymphadenopathy – has been there for more than 23 years now, circa 2000, not
increasing in size – actually smaller – April 2023 – Treatment: watchful waiting
 First look for cues for
Illustrations inflammation / infections
such as redness and
tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
If none, then look for cues
for malignancy such as
hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
 First look for cues for
Illustrations inflammation / infections
such as redness and
tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
If none, then look for cues
for malignancy such as
hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 First look for cues for
Illustrations inflammation / infections
such as redness and
tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
If none, then look for cues
for malignancy such as
hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCERS
Alert symptoms:
• Nodule /nodules on the side
of the neck below the ear –
lymph nodes
• Nasal stuffiness
• Nasal bleeding
 First look for cues for
Illustrations inflammation / infections
such as redness and
tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
If none, then look for cues
for malignancy such as
hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 Illustrations

NECK MASSES
LARYNGEAL CANCERS
Alert symptoms:
• Hoarseness of voice
• Nodule /nodules on the
side of the neck – lymph
nodes
 First look for cues for
Illustrations inflammation / infections
such as redness and
tenderness. If present,
NECK MASSES most likely inflammatory /
infectious.
If none, then look for cues
for malignancy such as
hardness, fixation and
with signs of spread. If
present, most likely
malignant.
In none, most likely non-
malignant. More so, if the
neck mass is cystic (with
fluid), chances are it is
benign.
 ADVICE
• Do self-examination of the head and neck
regularly and thoroughly.
NECK MASSES • Self-examination of the head and neck facilitates
early detection of any diseases that may affect
these parts of a person’s body.  Once anything
unusual is felt, seen, and/or palpated, consult a
physician as soon as possible.
• Early detection and treatment of head and neck
diseases is associated with a lot of health
benefits such as higher chance of successful
treatment and prevention of disfigurement and
premature death.
Head and Neck Contents
•
Consciousness • When and what is the HEAD and NECK Consciousness Week in the Philippines?
What is the HEAD and NECK?
Week • What are NECK MASSES?
Summary
• What are the different types of NECK MASSES? Take Away
• What are the more common NECK MASSES in the Philippines?
NECK MASSES • What the different causes of NECK MASSES?
• How to recognize common NECK MASSES?
• What are the usual diagnostic procedures for NECK MASSES?
• What are the usual treatment modalities of NECK MASSES?
• What are ROJoson’s health advice on how to manage NECK MASSES on a personal
level?
 Be always in touch with reliable medical Take Away in
information on NECK MASSES. relation to
NECK MASSES Patient
Knowledge is power; it gives power. Empowerment
Use the 4Ks of Patient Empowerment:
Kaalaman, Kakayanan, Karapatan and
Kapangyarihan
to gain greater control over decisions /
make better decisions in NECK MASSES in
one’s health management.
 Empowerment
Head and Neck
objective - for
Consciousness
laypeople to have a
Week
basic understanding
of NECK MASSES in
NECK MASSES
their health
management.
Reminder after the PEP
Talk:

Take the Online Learning

cum Evaluation Test
Exercise (OLETE) for
mastery of learning and
have a perfect score to get
a Certificate.

Link is in Chat Box.

Reminder:
50 OLETE Certificates = 1
Voucher for ROJoson
Telemedical Consultation
 ROJOSON’S REQUEST:

FEEDBACK TO THIS
Empowerment PEP TALK!
Head and Neck
objective - for
Consciousness Pls. type in your
laypeople to have a feedback in the chat
Week
basic understanding box during the open
of NECK MASSES in forum and before we
NECK MASSES adjourn!
their health
management.
Thank you!
 LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
Empowerment START Q&A
Head and Neck
objective - for INTERACTIONS!
Consciousness
laypeople to have a
Week Pls. turn on your
basic understanding
video!
of NECK MASSES in
NECK MASSES Show your face!
their health
management.