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Lymphatic system
Lymphatic system
Neck lump
Neck lump

Neck lump
Definition:
A 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, and other rare causes.

Enlargement of the submandibular 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 and involving the sternocleidomastoid muscle, result from injury or torticollis. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts such as 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.
Common Causes:
CERVICAL (NECK) LYMPH NODE ENLARGEMENTSALIVARY GLAND ENLARGEMENT
  • infection
  • mumps
  • stone in salivary duct
  • salivary gland tumor
Home Care:
Consult your health care provider for treatment of the cause of the neck lump.
Call your health care provider if:
  • there is prolonged and abnormal neck swelling or the presence of lumps.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your neck lump in detail may include:
  • type
    • Is it a firm lump?
    • Is it a relatively soft, pliable bag-like (cystic) mass?
    • Is it a painless bag-like (cystic) mass?
    • Is the entire neck swollen?
  • location/distribution
  • time pattern
    • Has it been increasing in size?
    • Over how many months?
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there a rash?
  • Is there difficulty breathing?
Intervention:
If a thyroid goiter is diagnosed, medical management or surgical removal may be indicated. 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.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to a neck lump to your personal medical record.
Review Date: 12/3/2001
Reviewed By: Steven Angelo, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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