Symptoms of Neck Lump : Diagnosing, and Treating

Comprehensive Guide to Neck Lumps: Diagnosis and Treatment

What is a Neck Lump?

A neck lump, also known as a neck mass, is a visible growth that appears on the neck. These lumps can vary in shape and size. In most cases, neck lumps are non-cancerous or benign. However, a cancer lump on the neck may look similar or have similar symptoms which often makes the diagnosis difficult. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor as soon as you notice any abnormal growth on your neck or surrounding areas.

What are the Possible Neck Swelling Causes?
The primary reason for a lump on the neck is an enlarged lymph node. Lymph nodes contain cells that assist your body in fighting infections and targeting cancerous cells. In sickness, your lymph nodes swell to combat the infection.

Here are some conditions that can trigger lymph nodes to swell:

Ear infections
Sinus infections
Tonsillitis
Strep throat
Dental infections
Bacterial and viral infections

Apart from this, here are some other possible causes of neck lumps:

Autoimmune diseases such as cancer
Thyroid gland disorders, such as goitre from iodine deficiency
Viruses like mumps can cause enlargement of your salivary glands
Injuries or torticollis develop a lump within your neck muscles

In case your neck swelling persists for more than 2 weeks, increases in size, or feels hard upon touching, visit your physician for proper diagnoses.

What are the Causes of a Lump on the Posterior Triangle of the Neck?

Following is a list of some conditions that result in neck swelling:

Goitre: Abnormal growth of the thyroid gland.
Tonsillitis: An infection on the tonsil lymph nodes.
Hodgkin’s Disease: Painless swelling in neck muscles.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: White blood cell cancer.
Thyroid Cancer: Inflammation and uncontrollable growth of cells on the thyroid gland.
Lipoma: A doughy, painless growth of fatty cells. Mumps: Viral inflammation and swelling of the salivary/parotid glands.
Bacterial Pharyngitis: Bacterial infection on the back of your throat.

What Are the Other Symptoms Associated With Neck Lumps?

A lump on the neck can come from many different conditions and diseases, leading to a variety of related symptoms. Some people do not experience any symptoms, while others show symptoms connected to the problem causing the neck lump.

If your neck lump is due to an infection and your lymph nodes are swollen, you can also have a sore throat, find it hard to swallow, or experience ear pain. If the lump blocks your airway, you could have trouble breathing or a hoarse voice when you talk.

Sometimes, an individual with a cancer lump on the neck may also experience a change in their skin around the swollen area. Blood or phlegm in saliva is one of the cancer neck lump symptoms.

When Should I Visit the Doctor?

Most lumps in the neck are not serious and are usually swollen lymph nodes. However, sometimes, these lumps and cysts can indicate a more serious health problem. It is advisable to visit a doctor when:

The lump has been there for over 2 weeks.
It is larger than 1.5 cm across.
You have more than one lump.
The lump is stuck to the surrounding tissue.
The lump has changes in the skin or open sores.
You have other symptoms, such as fever, unexplained bruising, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, or losing weight without trying.
You see a roupy bulge along the side of your neck, which could mean heart problems.

Please note: A doctor will check the lump during a physical exam and ask about other symptoms. They may suggest tests like a biopsy or an ultrasound or send you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.

What to Expect When You Visit the Doctor With Swelling in Neck?

Once you visit your doctor for further diagnosis of the lump in your neck, he/she will take your medical history and perform a physical exam. You can expect questions like:

Where is the lump?
Is it hard, soft, and movable, or a bag-like mass?
Is it painful?
Is your entire neck swollen?
Has the lump grown bigger? How long has it been growing?
Do you have a rash or other symptoms?
Are you having trouble breathing?

In case of a noncancerous lump caused by viral or bacterial infection, the specialist will prescribe antibiotics. For enlarged mass, the doctor also advises microsurgery. An ENT doctor will also perform nasopharyngolaryngoscopy. In this process, a lighted tool will be used to look at parts of your nose and throat that are hard to see. This minor examination does not require general anaesthesia.

Your doctor will run different tests to find out the cause of the lump on your neck. They will run a complete blood count (CBC) test to check your overall health and look for various conditions. In case of an infection, your white blood cell (WBC) count might be high.

However, the initial tests cannot give the full report of the cause or type of neck lump, further tests are suggested. Some of the common tests are:

An ultrasound of the thyroid and neck tissues
A CT scan of the neck
A radioactive thyroid scan
A thyroid biopsy
A lymph node biopsy

How to Treat a Neck Lump?

The treatment for a neck lump depends on what is causing it. If the lump is due to a bacterial infection, then antibiotics are prescribed. In case of a noncancerous cyst or large mass, surgery is recommended for its removal.

Additionally, if the neck lump is associated with cancers in the head and neck, the primary treatments are:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy

Thus, finding the cause of a neck lump early is important for an effective treatment.

Final Words

So, to sum up, neck lumps can range from harmless infections to serious conditions like cancer. This can develop on the posterior triangle of the neck or any other part of the neck. They can develop in anyone, and often they do not necessarily indicate serious medical problems. Be it a cancer lump on the neck or a benign one, the way to cure it is early detection. Therefore, if you experience any of the mentioned symptoms or develop a visible lump, please visit your nearest healthcare provider.

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FAQ's

I have a lump on the right side of neck with no pain, what should I do?

You should visit a doctor if the painless lump on the right side of your neck persists for more than 2 weeks.

Which type of neck lumps must be removed immediately?

Doctors prescribe immediate surgery if a patient is diagnosed with either a large benign neck lump or a cancerous neck lump.

How long does a neck lump last?

Usually, it takes around a week or 2 to reduce a neck lump. However, if the lump is a sign of any other associated disease, it can last longer.

Are cancerous neck lumps more common in adults?

Yes, age plays a crucial role in determining the possible causes of a neck lump. The risk of a malignant (cancerous) cause rises with age, especially in adults over 40 years old. However, they can also occur in younger individuals.