The MercyAscot Neck Lump Clinic provides an on-the-spot diagnostic service for patients with worrying neck lumps. You can find it in Epsom at Mercy Hospital.

This is a streamlined diagnostic service for neck lumps. The neck lump clinic team is proud of the levels of service they are able to offer. This service provides an excellent standard of care meeting international best practice.

Click play on the video below to learn more about the Neck Lump Clinic. 

Our team

LEAD SURGEONS

Mr Mark Izzard
Head and Neck Surgeon   

Mr Rajan Patel
Head and Neck Surgeon

Mr Kevin Smith
Head and Neck Surgeon 

SPECIALIST CONSULTANTS

Dr. Christine Koch
Radiologist

Gretchen Pomare
Pathologist

Dr. Joo Kim
Radiologist

Carole Paulus
Radiologist

Why Refer to Us?

We’ll accurately diagnose your patient’s neck lump in one visit (read all about “Auckland’s speediest cancer clinic”).

We are committed to eliminating delays in diagnosis for your patients. Our clinics remove the need for multiple appointments; providing assessment and treatment plans during a single appointment.

Our integrated neck lump service is a Southern Cross Affiliated provider service.

Latest technology and evidenced-based treatment: Patients are treated by experienced specialists who offer access to the latest treatment for head and neck disorders. For example: micro-vascular surgery, 3D printed bio-modelling, VMAT radiotherapy, SPECT-CT and PET CT.

Facilities and functions: MercyAscot is the largest private hospital provider in New Zealand. We have an on-site Intensive Care Unit and an inpatient ward that focuses on post-operative care for head and neck patients.

Rehabilitation: Every patient is provided with a personalised rehabilitation plan to maximise their post-treatment quality of life. This can involve a speech and swallowing plan, physiotherapy, dental and oral prosthodontics.

Innovative, patient-centric practice:The MercyAscot Head and Neck Service offers a one-stop diagnostic Neck Lump Clinic. The objective of this clinic is to perform complete neck lump assessment at a single clinic visit, thereby minimising treatment delay for patients. 

When to urgently refer to our Neck Lump Clinics/us[1]?

Please urgently refer any neck lumps which meet any one of the following criteria:

• Neck lump increasing in size, or 
• Neck lump greater than 2 cm in size, or 
• Neck lump present for more than three weeks that has changed, or 
• Neck lump present for six weeks or more, or 
• Widespread lymphadenopathy > 2cm, or 
• ‘B’ symptoms: night sweats, generalised itch, weight loss, fever.

Our results so far[2]

• 1927 neck lump patients assessed
• 99% of patients given diagnosis following assessment at neck lump clinics
• 52% discharged with reassurance after a single appointment
• 11% cancer diagnosis.

Benefits to patients

> One 45 minute appointment

> A multidisciplinary team at every clinic:

• Radiologists
• Pathologist
• Head and Neck Surgeon

> Comprehensive service

• Ultrasound assessment (neck and thyroid)
• Immediate ultrasound guided Fine Needle Aspirate biopsy performed if indicated
• Immediate biopsy assessment where required
• Clinical assessment, explanation of test results and treatment planning

Our multi-disciplinary team has expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and management of neck lumps and forms part of the MercyAscot Head and Neck Service. The team works together to deliver the best possible care for your patients.

[1] *Adapted from Guidelines for the Management of Neck Lumps, Pan-Birmingham Cancer Network 2010

[2] As of July 15, 2020

_{Guidance on Cancer Services: Improving outcomes in head and neck cancer - the manual. Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Nov 2004. (Available online: www.nice.org.ok/Guidance/CSGHN/Evidence)}

_{Porter, M. What is Value in Healthcare? N Engl J Med, 2010; 363:2477-2481}