Lump in the neck
Key points
- 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.
- Home Care Consult your health care provider for treatment of the cause of the neck lump.
- Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have prolonged and abnormal neck swelling or the presence of lumps.
- The health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.
Alternative names
Neck lump
Definition
A neck lump is any lump, bump, or swelling 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 ENLARGEMENT
- Bacterial
o Strep throat
o Other types of bacterial pharyngitis (sore throat from a bacterial infection)
o Cat scratch disease
o Tuberculosis - Viral
o Infectious mononucleosis
o HIV disease
o AIDS
o Rubella (German measles)
o Viral pharyngitis
o Herpes infections - Malignant
o Hodgkin's disease
o Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
o Leukemia
o Metastatic oral lesions (mouth cancer)
o Other malignancy - Thyroid
o Grave's disease
o Goiter
o Cancer of the thyroid - Other
o Allergic reaction to a drug (medication)
o Food allergies
o Other allergic reactions
SALIVARY 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
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.