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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
- Bacterial
- Atypical mycobacterium (a type of bacteria)
- Bacterial pharyngitis
- Cat scratch disease
- Peritonsillar abscess
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
- Tuberculosis
- Cancer
- Thyroid
- Viral
- AIDS
- Herpes infections
- HIV disease
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Rubella (German measles)
- Viral pharyngitis
- Other
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:
- Is it a hard lump?
- Is it a relatively soft, pliable, bag-like (cystic) mass?
- Is it a painless bag-like (cystic) mass?
- Is the entire neck swollen?
- Where is the lump located?
- Has it been growing bigger? Over how many months?
- What other symptoms are present?
- Is there a rash?
- Do you have difficulty breathing?
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:
- CT scan of the head or neck
- Radioactive thyroid scan
- Thyroid biopsy
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.
What else can I help you with?
What can a neck lump be?
a turtle neck
What was the lump on Homer's Neck in Midnight Rx?
It was a lump of stress.
What is neck mass?
Neck mass is also called neck lump. It causes respiratory infection like cold or sinusitis. The lump mostly occurs in infants and children.
What is the lump on my neck on the inside of jaw?
The lump on your neck on the inside of the jaw could be an infection. It is important that you seek medical attention ASAP.
What is a lump on a dhilds neck?
probably there head
What might a lump on the left side at the base of a neck indicate?
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.
What is a lump you get on your neck from kissing?
you must mean a hickey
What could a lump in the left side of my neck be that you cannot see only can feel it?
Any lump in your neck should be checked out by a physician to make sure it is nothing serious.
What could you a small painless lump be on your right side of neck?
#
What does it mean if a dog has a swollen soft not painful lump in neck?
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.
Lump on front of neck above thyriod gland?
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.
Recently had a cyst removed from back of neck a week later you noticed a hard lump above incesion and another lump on the left side of neck what can this be?
the lump helps you create a bad bad thing in your own throat. You should have a lump in your throat once in a while when your start to have your you know what and it is very important.
