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Medically reviewed by Scot M. Stewart, M.D.
A lump in your neck, a lasting voice change, or swelling near your jaw can have several causes. If the change doesn’t improve, an ENT evaluation can help identify what’s happening.
Northeast Georgia ENT provides head and neck evaluations in Gainesville and Braselton. Our ENT physicians assess concerns involving the neck, throat, voice box, salivary glands, and facial skin. If findings require cancer or another subspecialty service, your physician will explain the referral and next step.
Some symptoms improve after a cold or other short-term illness. If a change lasts, returns, grows, or begins to affect speaking, swallowing, breathing, or eating, schedule an evaluation.
An ENT doctor, also called an otolaryngologist, is trained to diagnose medical and surgical conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery describes the specialty as covering these connected areas.
Care may involve an examination alone or require imaging, a biopsy, surgery, or input from other specialists. The right next step depends on the problem’s location, how long it has been present, and what the examination shows.
A mass may be an enlarged lymph node, cyst, thyroid or salivary gland growth, or benign tumor. A neck lump that lasts two weeks or longer should be examined. If findings suggest cancer, your physician will explain the referral and next step.
Learn About Head & Neck Masses →Salivary glands can become blocked, narrowed, inflamed, infected, or affected by a growth. Symptoms may include swelling near the jaw or under the tongue, pain around meals, dry mouth, or recurring infections. Northeast Georgia ENT evaluates these concerns and offers salivary gland surgery when an operation is appropriate.
Explore Salivary Gland Surgery →Skin cancer can develop on the face, scalp, ears, and neck. A changing mole, a sore that does not heal, or a new growth should be checked. Treatment depends on the cancer’s type, size, and location. Learn more about skin cancer and the role reconstructive care may play after treatment.
Learn More About Skin Cancer →Your appointment begins with a conversation about what you’ve noticed, when it started, and how it has changed. The physician will then examine the areas related to your concern, such as the neck, mouth, throat, nose, ears, salivary glands, or facial skin.
Not every patient needs the same tests. Depending on the examination, your physician may recommend imaging, a biopsy, or another procedure. For certain sinus or ear concerns, Northeast Georgia ENT offers in-office cone beam CT imaging in Gainesville and Braselton when it is appropriate for the concern.
Dr. Paul Garlich provides cosmetic and facial plastic surgery, including reconstruction after Mohs surgery, through Garlich Facial Plastics.
Explore Garlich Facial PlasticsBefore your appointment, write down when the problem began and how it has changed. Bring a medication list and any relevant imaging, biopsy results, pathology reports, or records from another physician.
Your ENT physician will review your history and perform a focused examination. If more information is needed, they’ll explain the recommended testing before discussing treatment or referral. The goal is to identify the likely cause and explain what comes next.
Northeast Georgia ENT physicians evaluate a range of neck, salivary gland, and facial concerns. Because each physician has different areas of focus, the office can help match patients with an appropriate provider or explain when a referral is needed.
Northeast Georgia ENT provides evaluations and follow-up care at two North Georgia offices. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at (770) 536-4352 .
2406 Lighthouse Manor Drive
Gainesville, GA 30501
1235 Friendship Road, Suite 100
Braselton, GA 30517
An ENT physician can evaluate many conditions affecting the head and neck, but not every ENT practice provides comprehensive head and neck cancer or skull-base treatment. Northeast Georgia ENT can assess the concern and refer patients when more specialized care is needed.
A neck lump that lasts two weeks or longer, continues growing, or is not clearly connected to a short-term infection should be examined. Schedule sooner if it occurs with swallowing trouble, hoarseness, a mouth or throat sore, or other concerning symptoms.
No. Infections, enlarged lymph nodes, cysts, thyroid conditions, salivary gland disorders, and benign tumors can all cause symptoms. An evaluation helps determine the cause instead of assuming the worst.
Bring your medication list, insurance information, and relevant records. If you have previous imaging, biopsy, or pathology results, or notes from another specialist, bring those as well.
Yes. Northeast Georgia ENT provides appointments at offices in Gainesville and Braselton. Call (770) 536-4352 for either location.
If a lump, voice change, swallowing problem, or salivary gland symptom isn’t improving, schedule an evaluation at Northeast Georgia ENT in Gainesville or Braselton.