Lump On The Neck: Useful Information

A lump on the neck can cause symptoms such as hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. 

A  lump on the neck  is worrying, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is hiding a serious illness. Cancer is often the first thought, but there are many other causes that can lead to it. Also, not all cancers are cancerous. It could also be a temporary infection, a cyst, or a benign tumor.

The most common cause of  lumps on the neck  is an inflammatory swelling of a lymph node. It is a rounded structure that forms part of the immune system and is present in various areas of the body. Lymph nodes are necessary to recognize and fight infections. However, they are prone to swelling, which is temporary.

Find out more about possible causes of lumps on the neck in today’s article.

What are the most common causes of lumps on the neck?

As mentioned at the beginning, swelling of a lymph node is one of the most common causes of lumps in the neck area. This can happen due to various circumstances:

• An infection in the neighboring area of ​​a lymph node: This can be triggered, for example, by a cold or a sore throat. So it’s a very common cause, especially in children. Other possible triggers are mononucleosis, an abscess on the tooth, tonsillitis, etc.
• Direct infection of a lymph node. In this case, specialists speak of lymphadenitis.
• Systemic diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or tuberculosis can also lead to it.

On the other hand, various disorders of the immune system can also  lead to a lump on the neck. Because this can also cause a lymph node to swell. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, is a disease of the immune system that erroneously attacks the body’s own healthy tissue, especially in the joints.

Certain medications can also cause the lymph nodes to swell. On the other hand, a lump on the neck could be caused by a cyst (fluid-filled cavity). Cysts are often present at birth. They can usually be easily identified.

In addition, a problem with the salivary glands could be hiding behind an externally visible lump on the neck.

Of course, we must not forget that a lump in the neck area can also be a sign of a serious illness. It could be cancer, with malignant tumors being more common in the elderly than in the young. 

Cancer can develop directly on a lymph node (lymph node cancer) or occur in the vicinity and spread. It could also be a metastasis that has spread from another source of origin. 

Signs and symptoms to watch out for if there is a lump in your neck

If you notice a lump in the neck area, it is important  to see a doctor to find the underlying problem. The attending physician will carry out appropriate examinations in order to be able to make a diagnosis. You can also observe certain signs yourself, which can give you clues about possible causes.

A soft and painful lump on the neck could indicate an infection. Usually this type of knot disappears after a while. If the area is very tender, it could be lymphadenitis. However, if the lump is hard, immobile, and painless, a tumor could be present.

Tumors also cause other symptoms, such as hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. If you notice a lump on your neck and other signs at the same time, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible!

What methods are used to make the diagnosis?

There are a variety of tests that a doctor will perform to make a correct diagnosis. In young patients it is usually  not a tumor. If there are signs of infection, more in-depth examinations are usually unnecessary. In any case, the consistency of the knot and whether there is pain or not is important.

Usually, the doctor will first take a blood sample to create a hemogram. They may also need an X-ray for diagnosis. If there are any signs or risks of cancer, further investigation is needed. In this case, for example, a biopsy is required. To do this, a sample taken from the knot is analyzed in the laboratory.

On the other hand, further imaging procedures may be necessary. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are often used to make the diagnosis. An ultrasound image can also be informative in certain cases.

Conclusion

In most cases, a lump on the neck is caused by a swollen lymph node that increases in volume due to inflammation. Often it is an infection of neighboring tissue that affects the lymph node. But one must watch carefully to see if other symptoms are also present. If the knot doesn’t move and doesn’t cause pain, it could be a tumor! Be sure to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.