Definition

A neck lump is any 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 areenlarged 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.

Causes

CERVICAL (NECK) LYMPH NODE ENLARGEMENT

• Bacterial
  • Strep throat
  • Other types of bacterial pharyngitis (sore throat from a bacterial infection)
  • Cat scratch disease
  • Tuberculosis
• Viral
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • HIV disease
  • AIDS
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Viral pharyngitis
  • Herpes infections
• Malignant
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Leukemia
  • Metastatic oral lesions (mouth cancer)
  • Other malignancy
• Thyroid
  • Grave's disease
  • Goiter
  • Cancer of the thyroid
• Other
  • Allergic reaction to a drug (medication)
  • Food allergies
  • Other allergic reactions

SALIVARY GLAND ENLARGEMENT

• Infection
• Mumps
• Stone in salivary duct
• Salivary gland tumor

Review Date: 5/4/2003
Reviewed By: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.