Neck lumps or swollen lymph nodes can be signs of different conditions. Some are harmless, while others need medical care. Here are the main causes of neck lumps:
- Infections
- Viral Infections: Colds, flu, or mono can make neck lymph nodes swell as the body fights the infection.
- Bacterial Infections: Throat infections like strep throat, abscesses, or skin infections can also cause swollen lymph nodes.
- Tuberculosis: This bacterial infection can sometimes lead to neck lumps, especially in lymph nodes.
- Enlarged Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)
- Causes: Lymph nodes can get bigger due to infection, inflammation, or serious problems like cancer. They are part of the immune system and swell when fighting diseases.
- Tenderness: Tender or painful lumps are often from infections. Painless lumps may mean other issues.
- Cysts
- Types of Cysts: A branchial cleft cyst is a birth defect that can cause lumps on the neck side. Thyroglossal duct cysts can form in the neck midline.
- Symptoms: Cysts are usually round, smooth, and moveable. They may not hurt unless infected.
- Thyroid Disorders
- Goiter: Thyroid gland enlargement can cause a visible neck lump, often due to iodine deficiency, autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or thyroid nodules.
- Thyroid Cancer: A hard, painless neck lump, especially one that changes in size or texture, may be thyroid cancer.
- Cancer
- Metastatic Cancer: Neck lumps can be a sign of cancer that has spread from other body parts, like head and neck cancers, lymphoma, or lung, breast, or digestive tract cancers.
- Lymphoma: Swollen, painless lymph nodes that don’t shrink or go away may be lymphoma, a blood cancer.
- Salivary Gland Issues
- Infections or Blockages: Swelling near the jaw or under the ear can be from salivary gland infections or blockages. Sialadenitis (salivary gland infection) or sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones) can cause lumps.
- Injury or Trauma
- Lumps from Injury: A recent neck injury can cause swelling or a lump from fluid or blood under the skin.
- Lipomas
- Benign Growths: Lipomas are non-cancerous fatty growths that can be soft lumps under the skin. They are usually harmless and painless but may need removal if they get too big or cause discomfort.
When to See a Doctor
Neck lumps are often harmless and related to common problems like infections. But see a doctor if:
- The lump is hard, fixed, or doesn’t move.
- It’s painless but keeps growing.
- You have other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, or fatigue.
- The lump lasts more than two weeks without getting better.
A healthcare provider can do a physical exam, order tests, and maybe a biopsy to find out what’s causing the lump. Early detection and treatment are important, especially for cancer or other serious conditions.