A Clinical Analysis of Neck Masses / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We studied the clinical manifestations and charicteristics of the neck masses for taking the correct diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 1995, 403 patients were admitted and treated with neck masses at department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital and analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis was confirmed by radiological(CT, MRI, Ultrasonograph, etc) and histopathological(fine-needle aspiration cytology, incisional or excisional biopsies, and surgical procedures) studies. RESULTS: Ten cases(2.5%) were below 15 year-old age group and there were 4 cases of congenital masses, 3 cases of inflammatory masses, 2 cases of benign neoplasia, and 1 cases of malignant neoplasm. One hundred thirty-one cases(32.5%) were between 16 and 40 year-old age group and there were 7 cases of congenital masses, 33 cases of inflammatory masses, 31 cases of benign neoplasia, and 60 cases of malignant neoplasia. Two hundred sixty-two cases(65.0%) were above 41 year-old age group and there were 6 cases of congenital masses, 16 cases of inflammatory masses, 31 cases of benign neoplasia, and 20 cases of malignant neoplasia. Above 41 year-old age group, the malignant neoplasia were frequent. In all cases, the malignant neoplasia were frequent(67.0%) and among these primary malignant neoplasia were 118 cases and metastatic malignant neoplasia were 152 cases. In 17 cases of congenital masses, thyroglossal duct cyst was 7 cases and branchial cleft cyst was followed. In 52 cases of inflammatory masses, tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most(27cases) and reactive lymphadenitis was followed. In benign neoplasia, adenomatous goiter was the most(47cases) among 64 cases. CONCLUSION: Malignant neoplasia was 67.0%(270/403) of the neck masses and among these metastatic tumors was 56.3%(152/270). In women congenital masses was the most and then inflammatory masses and benign tumors were followed but in men malignant tumors were the most. After 5th decade, malignant neoplasia were frequent(79.8%) and neck masses in old age-patients were suspicious for the malignancies.