The thyroid is a gland that sits in the front, and towards the bottom of, your neck. It is responsible for producing a hormone called thyroxin that affects many organs including the heart, muscles and bones. Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland for reasons such as thyroid cancer, goitre (enlarged thyroid), thyroid nodules or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) that doesn't respond to other treatments. A thyroidectomy may be total (removal of the entire thyroid gland) or partial or lobectomy (removal of part of the gland).

The parathyroid glands are four small glands located in the neck which produce parathyroid hormone, a hormone involved in the regulation of calcium and phosphate levels. Overactivity of one or more of the glands (hyperparathyroidism) results in excessive parathyroid hormone production. Parathyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands through an incision (cut) in the front of and at the base of the neck.

This is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands and is located in front of and just below the ear. This surgery is most commonly done to remove tumours, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It may also be performed for chronic infections or other gland problems. Special care is taken during the surgery to protect the facial nerve, which runs through the parotid gland and controls movement of the face.

A surgical procedure involving the removal of lymph nodes (bean-shaped glands that filter harmful agents picked up by the lymphatic system) from the neck to control the spread of cancer. It is most commonly done to treat head and neck cancers that have spread, or have the potential to spread, to the lymph nodes. There are different types of neck dissection, depending on how much tissue is removed – ranging from selective (only certain lymph nodes) to more extensive procedures.

Growths, lumps, tumours or masses on the head and neck can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous and can form in the larynx, pharynx, thyroid gland, salivary gland, mouth, neck, face or skull. Tests to diagnose a mass may include: Neurological examination – assesses eye movements, balance, hearing, sensation, coordination etc MRI – magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic fields and radio waves to give images of internal organs and body structures CT Scan – computer tomography combines x-rays with computer technology to give cross-sectional images of the body Biopsy – a sample of tissue is taken for examination under a microscope. Enlarged Lymph Nodes Lymph nodes in the neck often become swollen when the body is fighting an infection. Benign Lesions Non-cancerous masses such as cysts are often removed surgically to prevent them from pressing on nerves and other structures in the head and neck. Cancer Cancerous masses spread to surrounding tissues and may be: Primary – they arise in the head or neck. Mostly caused by tobacco or alcohol use Secondary – they have spread from a primary tumour in another part of the body. Cancers may be treated by a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.