Neck Lumps

What are Neck Lumps?

A neck lump may be located in the skin or possibly deeper underneath it. Lumps can differ in size, location, and hardness, and can sometimes grow or change shape depending on the cause. Where the neck feels swollen, it might make it difficult to swallow or cause pain. There are a number of different causes for neck lumps, the most common is a bacterial or viral infection that causes the glands (lymph nodes) in your neck to inflame. Other causes could be cysts or lipomas, fatty lumps that develop in or under the skin. Less common causes my be caused by thyroid issues, allergies, and in rare cases, cancer. A lump on the neck is usually harmless and treatable and its recommended to get a diagnosis as early as possible to reduce the spread of a possible infection.  

What are the typical symptoms of a Neck Lump?

Symptoms can vary from person to person, and very much depends on what has caused the lump to appear. Below are some symptoms that may accompany the actual lump itself:

• Lumps. A lump can either be soft and spongy to the touch or it might be much harder. Size and location of the lump(s) vary depending on the cause. It could also grow in size, or get smaller but not go away.
• Swollen glands. Common with a bacterial or viral infection, the lymph nodes in the neck can become inflamed. This is because your lymph nodes contain cells that fight off infection in the body. Other symptoms typical of an infection, such as fever, headache and fatigue, could present themselves also.
• Hoarse voice. Feeling hoarse, a noticeable change in your voice or losing your voice altogether, might occur with certain infections related to a neck lump.
• Sore throat. A sore or dry throat may present itself with a neck lump, and can be painful after a while if not treated.
• Difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia is a condition where swallowing certain foods, liquids, or even saliva becomes difficult or painful.
• Persistent cough. Depending on the root cause of a neck lump, coughing may be a common symptom. If persistent, this can make the throat feel dry and scratchy. 
• Ear pain. Should a lump be present in close proximity to the ear, this can cause pain inside the ear canal and possibly an ear infection or difficulty hearing. 

What causes Neck Lumps?

There are a number of possible causes for a lump on the neck due to the location of vital organs lymph nodes in the vicinity. Some likely causes include:

• Swollen glands due to bacterial or viral infection. Glands or lymph nodes are located all around the body. Swollen glands in your neck may indicate an infection somewhere that your body is trying to fight off. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) infections, such as ear infections, sinus infections, tonsillitis and strep throat, can all cause lymph nodes to enlarge. Mumps and dental infections can do this also.
• Acne. Neck lumps may be caused by the acne and are more likely to occur at the back of the neck. There may be more than one lump if acne is the cause.
• Cysts/lipomas. Fatty growths within or under the skin can occur anywhere on the body, and can present as a hard lump on neck and other areas.
• Allergies. Anaphylaxis, the response to an allergy, can cause neck swelling or small bumps neck and shoulder areas. Skin irritation from hair and skincare products may also cause small lumps that can become itchy. 
• Thyroid problems. An overactive or underactive thyroid gland, located at the front of the neck, can cause it to swell. When the thyroid gland grows abnormally, it is referred to as a goiter. 
• Cancer. Most lumps that appear are not cancerous, however they should not be ignored. Some types of cancer that can cause a lump to appear on the neck are throat cancer, thyroid cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

How to help prevent a Neck Lump?

Neck lumps may present themselves for a number of reasons and can happen to all individuals at any age. Below are some ways to prevent lumps that originate from different causes:

• Practice good hygiene. Keeping the skin on the neck clean and dry, and washing with soap and hot water every day, can reduce the risk of cysts and lipomas forming. Washing your hands regularly can also prevent the risk of infections spreading, and killing germs before touching your face, mouth and food is recommended.
• Quit smoking. Although neck lumps are unlikely to be cancer, smoking greatly increases the risk of developing a number of cancers, particularly in the neck and throat area. 
• Cut down/avoid alcohol. Like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption raises your chances of developing cancers such as throat and mouth cancer. By cutting down, or quitting altogether, the risk is reduced.  
• HPV vaccination. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that has been known to cause cancer in the head and neck. Though oral HPV infection is rare, vaccinations can prevent contracting the virus altogether. 

How is a Neck Lump typically diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a neck lump is largely determined on where it originated. A doctor will physically examine you and ask questions to understand if it has grown, how long it’s been there, and any other symptoms you may have that could be related. They may also ask about your alcohol intake and smokers’ status. 

A doctor may order one or more of the following tests to rule out other conditions and confirm a diagnosis:

• CT or MRI scan. Imaging will help diagnose the lump, and a scan is the best option for this. Although you’ll be exposed to a very small amount of radiation during a CT scan, CT and MRI scans are completely harmless.
• Blood tests. These may be ordered to determine if you have an infection in your body.
• Thyroid scan. A much more localised scan may be taken of your thyroid gland to investigate the lump. There is minimal exposure to radiation and the scan is harmless.
• Biopsy. This procedure involves cutting a small piece of the lump out and sending off for laboratory analysis. 

How is a Neck Lump treated?

The cause of a neck lump will determine the best treatment for it. 

• If the lymph nodes are swollen due to a bacterial infection, a doctor can prescribe a course of antibiotics. The course must be finished in its entirety, even if you notice the lump has gone partway through. For viral infections that cause enlarged lymph nodes or neck lumps, the appropriate treatment will be discussed with you.
• If the neck lump is diagnosed as a cyst or a lipoma, a doctor will be able to remove this for you to reduce the risk of infection; you should not try to remove these yourself. Warm compresses can help reduce the size and any pain caused by these types of growth.
• Thyroid problems will be treated appropriately depending on the exact issue. Goiters can be treated with medication, though surgery may be discussed to remove it. 
• More serious diagnoses, such as cancers, will be treated depending on the size and severity of the growth. A doctor can discuss these options with you.

How can Doctify help with a Neck Lump?

At Doctify, we are proud to work with leading specialists in all fields of medicine. Our service could put you in touch with some of the country’s leading consultants based on real patient reviews. To find the right doctor for you, visit www.doctify.com/uk.