A neck lump is any lump, bump, or swelling in the neck.
Alternative NamesLump in the neck
ConsiderationsThere are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most frequently seen lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes.
Enlargement of the salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. Lumps in the muscles of the neck -- almost always in the front of the neck -- are caused by injury or torticollis. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts, including sebaceous cysts.
The thyroid gland may also produce a lump, multiple lumps, or swelling in the neck as a result of thyroid disease or cancer. Most cancers of the thyroid gland are extremely slow-growing and often curable by surgery, even if they have been present for several years.
All neck lumps in children and adults should be checked immediately. In children, most neck lumps are caused by treatable infections. However, treatment should start quickly to prevent complications or the spread of infection.
As adults age, the likelihood of the lump being a cancer increases, particularly for people who smoke or drink significant amounts of alcohol. Fortunately, most lumps in adults are not cancers.
Common CausesSWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN THE NECK
SALIVARY GLAND ENLARGEMENT
Home CareConsult your health care provider to have the cause of the neck lump treated.
Call your health care provider ifCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have an abnormal neck swelling, or lumps in your neck.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
If you are diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, you may need medication or surgery to remove it. If the health care provider suspects a thyroid nodule, the following may help in diagnosis and treatment:
If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If the cause is a noncancerous mass or cyst, you may need surgery to remove it.
ReferencesPfaff JA, Moore GP. Otolaryngology. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2006:chap 71.
McGuirt WF. Differential diagnosis of neck masses. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al., eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2005:chap 112.
A neck lump is any lump, bump, or swelling in the neck.
Alternative NamesLump in the neck
ConsiderationsThere are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most frequently seen lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes.
Enlargement of the salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. Lumps in the muscles of the neck -- almost always in the front of the neck -- are caused by injury or torticollis. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts, including sebaceous cysts.
The thyroid gland may also produce a lump, multiple lumps, or swelling in the neck as a result of thyroid disease or cancer. Most cancers of the thyroid gland are extremely slow-growing and often curable by surgery, even if they have been present for several years.
All neck lumps in children and adults should be checked immediately. In children, most neck lumps are caused by treatable infections. However, treatment should start quickly to prevent complications or the spread of infection.
As adults age, the likelihood of the lump being a cancer increases, particularly for people who smoke or drink significant amounts of alcohol. Fortunately, most lumps in adults are not cancers.
Common CausesSWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN THE NECK
SALIVARY GLAND ENLARGEMENT
Home CareConsult your health care provider to have the cause of the neck lump treated.
Call your health care provider ifCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have an abnormal neck swelling, or lumps in your neck.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.
Medical history questions may include:
If you are diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, you may need medication or surgery to remove it. If the health care provider suspects a thyroid nodule, the following may help in diagnosis and treatment:
If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If the cause is a noncancerous mass or cyst, you may need surgery to remove it.
ReferencesPfaff JA, Moore GP. Otolaryngology. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 70.
Chen A, Otto KJ. Differential diagnosis of neck masses. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 116.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/31/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
a turtle neck
It was a lump of stress.
Neck mass is also called neck lump. It causes respiratory infection like cold or sinusitis. The lump mostly occurs in infants and children.
The lump on your neck on the inside of the jaw could be an infection. It is important that you seek medical attention ASAP.
probably there head
A lump at the front of the neck could be inflamed lymph nodes, or an increase in one nodule of the thyroid gland which is a butterfly shaped organ in the neck belonging to the endocrine system. At the back of the neck a lump could be a muscle spasm or a problem with a spinal vertebra.
Palpable lumps in the neck are usually lymph nodes.
you must mean a hickey
Any lump in your neck should be checked out by a physician to make sure it is nothing serious.
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A soft, non-painful lump in a dog's neck could be a lipoma, or fatty tumor. It can also be a cyst that a veterinarian can drain.
If you find a lump on the front of your neck, above the thyroid gland, consult your doctor for further evaluation. They will do a thyroid neck check, and possibly a few other tests, to make a diagnosis.If you find a lump on the front of your neck, above the thyroid gland, consult your doctor for further evaluation. They will do a thyroid neck check, and possibly a few other tests, to make a diagnosis.