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Neck lump

Definition

A neck lump is any lump, bump, or swelling in the neck.

Alternative Names

Lump in the neck

Considerations

There are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most frequently seen lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes, which can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, malignancy, or other rare causes.

Enlargement of the salivary glands under the jaw may result from infection or malignancy. Lumps in the muscles of the neck -- almost always in the front of the neck -- result from 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 malignancy. 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 of them are caused by treatable infections. However, treatment should start quickly to prevent either spread of the infection or complications. As adults age, the likelihood of the lump being a cancer does increase, particularly for those who smoke or drink significant amounts of alcohol. Fortunately, most lumps in adults are not cancers.

Common Causes

SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN THE NECK

• Bacterial
  • Atypical Mycobacterium (a type of bacteria)
  • Cat scratch disease
  • Other types of bacterial pharyngitis
  • Peritonsillar Abscess (the result of tonsil infection that spreads)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Strep throat
  • Tonsillitis
• Viral
  • AIDS
  • Herpes infections
  • HIV disease
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Viral pharyngitis
• Malignant
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Leukemia
  • Metastatic oral lesions (mouth cancer)
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Other malignancy
• Thyroid
  • Cancer of the thyroid
  • Goiter
  • Graves' disease
• Other
  • Other allergic reactions
  • Allergic reaction to a drug (medication)
  • Food allergies

SALIVARY GLAND ENLARGEMENT

• Infection
• Mumps
• Salivary gland tumor
• Stone in salivary duct

Home Care

Consult your health care provider for treatment of the cause of the neck lump.

Call your health care provider if

Call 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 office

The health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting your neck lump in detail may include the following:

• 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 also present?
• Is there a rash?
• Is there difficulty breathing?

If a thyroid goiter is diagnosed, medication treatment or surgical removal may be needed. If a thyroid nodule is suspected, a radioactive thyroid scan, CT scan of the head or neck, or thyroid biopsy may assist in diagnosis and treatment. A biopsy involves the removal of a small piece of the thyroid gland. This piece will be checked in the lab.

If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If the cause is a benign mass or cyst, surgical removal may be necessary.

Review Date:1/18/2007
Reviewed By:Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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