What are Pediatric Neck Tumors?
Tumors rarely occur in the necks of infants, children and adolescents. Depending on the type and location of a tumor in the neck, a child might have a lump in the neck or near the collarbone, difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosing and managing tumors in a child’s neck requires knowledge of the many types and subtypes of tumors that occur in children.
What are the different types of Pediatric Neck Tumors?
Thyroid tumors
Thyroid tumors occur in girls more often than boys and in adolescents or young adults age 15 to 19.
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer occurs in the nasal cavity and throat, usually after age 10 and can cause painless masses in a child’s neck.
Laryngeal cancer
Laryngeal cancer is most often rhabdomyosarcoma, and rarely, a squamous cell carcinoma.
Midline tract cancer
Midline tract cancer can form in the thymus.
Parathyroid tumors or parathyroid gland cancer
Adrenal tumors
Adrenal tumors usually are benign, but can cause the gland to produce excess levels of hormones.
Cancers of the oral cavity and salivary gland
Cancers of the oral cavity and salivary gland occur near the neck, at the base of the throat.
How are Pediatric Neck Tumors diagnosed?
How are Pediatric Neck Tumors treated?
Treatment of tumors in the neck is complex, often involving critical structures, such as the thyroid gland.
At Children’s Health, our specialists have experience treating rare childhood cancers. Our physicians participate in important clinical trials and our oncology and specialty departments are ranked as top pediatric programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Our mission is to make life better for children. We’ll work together with you, our patients and their families to manage rare and complex tumors and assist you with follow-up surveillance and care.