About the disease
Fibroids of the neck are benign growths, which develop in the neck region. These fibroids are usually small-sized and multiple. They grow from the epithelium layer and have ball-shaped formations. They are usually pale or brownish-black in color, although sometimes they can be pink as well. This type of fibroids is the most common among the elderly. They grow slowly and rarely cause any complications. Pain develops only in case of inflammation when fibroids of the neck underwent some mechanical damage, such as sunburn or trauma. In some cases, these fibroids can be indicator of malignancy in case ulceration begins to progress.
The cases when such fibroids become basal cell carcinomas are very rare. Pigmented fibroids, if traumatized, can be a source of melanoma, which is a skin cancer. That`s why it is so important to avoid harmful effects of ultraviolet, especially by the elderly. Fibroids usually have soft or in some case dense consistence, which allows them to be mobile. Fibroids develop from connective tissue and are caused by either genetic predisposition or long-term exposure to the sun. There are two types of fibroids in the neck: nodular and diffuse. The first type is located right under the skin and is more thick on consistence. The second type is more dangerous, as it can affect the internal organs of the neck and can spread to other muscles.
Symptoms
- Growth in the neck, rarely painful
- The ball-shapes little growths are yellow or brownish in color
- The growth can be palpated in case fibroids are not located in the surface, but right under the skin
- It can be painful to turn the head freely in advanced forms of fibroids
Diagnosis
- During a general examination a doctor will examine the neck of a patient for the signs of masses, which are fibroids. They will also palpate these masses to determine if they are soft or hard in consistency and if they cause any pain.
- MRI and CT scanning are used to check the fibroids from the inside and to get more detailed images of them.
- Biopsy is used to rule out the possibility of melanoma or basal cell carcinoma. Usually, doctor use acupuncture to fine need aspiration to obtain the sample of fibroids and examine it under the microscope. A biopsy also allows to determine if fibroids are nodular or diffuse as they both can require different types of treatment options.
Treatment
- Resection is most commonly used for treatment of fibroids. This surgery is performed very carefully not to damage any neck tissue. Fibroids most commonly can be removed during the minimally invasive surgery, which will not cause any complications in the future. If there are multiple fibroids, they need to be all removed, especially if there is still a possibility of malignancy.
- Cryodestruction is another type of treatment which uses cold to destruct the fibroids. This type of treatment is most commonly used in the beginning stages of the fibroids, although in some cases it can also be used if there are multiple little fibroids and it is easier to destruct them by cold then by surgery. Nonetheless, surgery remains the most effective type of treatment as it can remove the fibroids from within and greatly lower the chance of recurrence.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed
