Head and neck masses are common complaints in outpatient clinics. Due to the large number of organs and complex anatomy of the head and neck, patients often do not know how to self-judge and diagnose and treat. Today, we will talk about the self-examination and prevention of head and neck tumors. First of all, we should know what kinds of head and neck lumps there are. Roughly speaking, they can be divided into three major categories: inflammation, congenital diseases and tumors. Inflammatory masses are relatively easy to diagnose and generally have some manifestations such as “redness, swelling, heat and pain”, such as acute lymphadenitis, neck abscess, etc., which are common in clinical practice. The difference between these manifestations should be carefully identified. Most of the congenital diseases can be detected in childhood or adolescence, and most of them are cystic diseases, such as thyroglossal cysts, parotid cysts and cystic lymphangioleiomyomata, which are usually found in the middle of the neck, and most of them are soft cystic masses, which may increase slowly or suddenly in a few cases, without pain and itching. Tumors are most common in neck masses and can be classified into benign and malignant tumors. Benign tumors include neurogenic tumors, vascular tumors and tumors of organ origin such as thyroid, parotid and submandibular glands. Neurogenic tumors are generally asymptomatic, slow growing, and more common in submandibular region and neck root; vascular tumors are generally located deeper, and if they are arterial tumors touching with vascular pulsation is the most important way to differentiate them. Thyroid tumors are mostly located in the front of the neck on both sides of the lower trachea, parotid tumors are mostly located in the front, bottom and back of the ear, and submandibular tumors are located in the lower jaw. Malignant tumors can be further divided into primary and metastatic ones in the neck, and metastatic (mainly lymph node) tumors are more common. The primary malignant tumors are commonly malignant lymphoma and cancer of the thyroid gland and other organs. Malignant lymphoma mostly presents as a fusion of multiple masses with a relatively hard texture and poor mobility. Metastatic tumors mostly originate from the head and neck, and a few originate from the thoracic and abdominal organs, mostly located in the lateral cervical region. Generally, metastatic cancer from nose, throat and larynx are mostly located in the upper part of the neck, while metastatic cancer from thyroid gland and thoracic and abdominal organs are mostly located in the lower part of the neck. The diagnosis of neck lumps should be based on a combination of disease duration, lump location and nature. Generally speaking, a mass that occurs within a short period of time (e.g. 7 days) is usually inflammatory, a mass that has been found for a long time (e.g. 7 years) is mostly congenital, and a mass of moderate duration (e.g. 7 weeks) is mostly a tumor. If the mass is located in the lower anterior neck, thyroid tumor should be considered first, if it is located under the jaw, submandibular gland tumor or lymph nodes should be considered, and if it is located in the area under the ear, parotid origin should be considered. If the mass is single and not painful, benign tumor of neurological origin should be considered first. If they are arranged longitudinally in a bead pattern, the possibility of tuberculosis should be noted. If the mass is painless, multiple, fused, and if accompanied by fever, malignant lymphoma should be considered. If the tumor is located below the ear, with hard texture, poor mobility and more obvious recent enlargement, metastatic tumors of pharyngeal and laryngeal origin should be considered, especially for residents of southeast China (Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Hunan, Zhejiang, etc.) attention should be paid to exclude the possibility of nasopharyngeal cancer, which is highly prevalent in the south of China. For the prevention of neck lumps, the following points should be noted: 1. Take the opportunity to touch the neck, especially the lateral neck area, and go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible if there is any suspicion for early detection. Do not mistake the muscles, blood vessels, bone and other structures in the neck for neck masses; 2. Pay attention to the discomfort in the nose and throat, such as ear congestion, tinnitus, swallowing discomfort, foreign body sensation and other symptoms should not be easily ignored, and early examination should be done; 3. Eat and drink.