Verywell / Jessica Olah
Possible Causes of Lumps in Your Neck
Others may require a specialist in skin conditions called adermatologistor a cancer specialist called anoncologist.
Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)
One of the most common reasons for a lump in your neck isswollen lymph node. A swollen lymph node may appear as a pea-sized lump in the neck that moves. Some can be as large as a grape. Symptoms may include:
These lumps can appear on the right or left side of the neck as well as the front and back.
Lymph nodesare tiny organs found in clusters in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin that are an important part of yourimmune system. They help filter disease-causing germs from fluids circulating through the body’slymphatic system.
Lymph nodes are filled with defensive white blood cells calledlymphocytes. If you have an active infection, these blood cells will activate to neutralize the germ. The ensuinginflammationcauses the lymph nodes to swell and become warm, red, and painful.
This is referred to aslymphadenopathy. If thecervical lymph nodes(located in the neck, jaw, and behind the ears) are involved, it is called cervical lymphadenopathy.
Treatment for swollen lymph nodes (aka swollen glands) depends on the cause. For example, antibiotics will be prescribed for bacterial infection.Using a warm compress and a pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) can help with discomfort until you get better.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoZay Nyi Nyi / Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Zay Nyi Nyi / Getty Images
Nodules
A nodule is a general term for an abnormal growth of tissue anywhere in the body. Most cases are not cancerous. With that said, the term is sometimes used as a placeholder to describe any abnormal lump which may, after investigation, turn out to be cancer.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Cysts
Lumps in your neck can also be fluid-filled sacs calledcysts. These can form almost anywhere in the body. A cyst usually feels soft.
Types of cysts in your neck include:
Many cysts go away on their own. However, depending on their size and location, they may have to besurgically drainedif they cause pain or become abnormally large.
Lipomas
Alipomais a benign lump filled with fat. Those found on the neck commonly develop on the fatty part of the back of the neck. They may also develop less commonly in the neck muscles (intramuscular lipoma) or theparotid glandsituated in front of the ear.
Lipomas are not cancerous. They may have to be surgically removed depending on their size and location. People with a family history of lipomas are more likely to get them.
No there are rare fatty tumors calledliposarcomasthat are cancerous.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoАндрей Клеменков / Getty Images
Андрей Клеменков / Getty Images
Goiters
Another common cause for a lump in your neck is an enlarged thyroid gland, also known as agoiter.
Goiters appear in the front of the neck, usually on one side, and will move up and down when you swallow. They are usually a sign of a thyroid problem but can also appear if you havenormal thyroid function.
Goiters can often be treated with medications. These includeSynthroid (levothyroxine)if you havehypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) and radioactive iodine if you havehyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid).
In some cases, goiters have to be surgically removed.
Boils
Neck boils are common in people with coarse beards who haveingrown hairs. Shaving can break the skin and provideS. Aureuaseasy entry into ruptured hair follicles.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoAntoksena / Getty Images
Antoksena / Getty Images
Mumps
Mumps is a viral illness that can cause a swelling on your neck. When you have mumps, the salivary glands in the front of your neck and/or the parotid glands in front of the ears can become swollen and sore. The condition may also cause additional symptoms such as:
Treatment for mumps typically includes home management strategies such as pain medication and fluids.
Allergic Reaction
Small, itchy lumps on the neck could be a sign of an allergic reaction to something your skin has come into contact with, such as a detergent or a personal care product. Insect bites on the neck may also cause small swellings/lumps.
These types of allergic reactions are usually not serious and will resolve on their own within a few days. If you know what triggered the reaction, you should take steps to avoid it in the future.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoSBenitez / Getty Images
SBenitez / Getty Images
Head and Neck Cancer
Canceris a less common cause of a lump on your neck. Thesemalignanttumors, while rare, fall under the larger category ofhead and neck cancers.
Those involving the neck include:
These tumors tend to be hard, irregular, rooted, and painless.Other possiblesymptomsinclude a change in your voice, pain with swallowing, and a persistent cough, sore throat, or earache.
Can stress cause swollen lymph nodes?Anxiety and stress can tax your immune system, but there is no evidence that they directly make your lymph nodes swell.
Can stress cause swollen lymph nodes?
Anxiety and stress can tax your immune system, but there is no evidence that they directly make your lymph nodes swell.
Diagnosing a Neck Lump
In some cases, a practitioner can determine if your neck lump is likely a cause for concern based on a physical examination and a review of other symptoms you may be experiencing. For example, if you havemono, you may also have a fever or sore throat.
In others, testing will be needed to finalize the diagnosis.
Testing
If a lump is not obviously due to a swollen lymph node or the practitioner notices features of the lump that are suspicious or undefined, diagnostic imaging testswill likely be done. Anultrasound,X-ray,computed tomography (CT) scanormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)can help your provider see whether or not the lump is solid or fluid-filled.
For a biopsy, a small amount of tissue is taken from the lump. A tissue sample can usually be taken using a needle, but some have to be taken surgically. Your provider will let you know if and when you need to have a biopsy and the best way to take the tissue.
The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory to see what the lump actually is made of.
Summary
Lumps in your neck are most likely not serious. The most common cause of neck lumps is that your lymph nodes are swollen. This commonly occurs when your body is fighting an infection, such as the flu, mono, or strep throat. As the infection clears up, your swollen lymph nodes should go back to their normal size.
It’s less common, but lumps on the neck can also be a sign of cancer. If the lump is getting bigger or not going away, tell your provider. They can figure out what the lump is and recommend the best way to treat it.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Verma R, Khera S.Cervical lymphadenopathy: A review.Int J Health Sci Res. 2020;10:292-8.Weinstock MS, Patel NA, Smith LP.Pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.Pediatr Rev. 2018;39(9):433-443. doi:10.1542/pir.2017-0249Benaglio F, Vitolo B, Scarabelli M, et al.The draining lymph node in rheumatoid arthritis: current concepts and research perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015(1):1-10. doi:10.1155/2015/420251Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.University of Michigan Health.Swollen lymph nodes.Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971Sabhalok S, Shetty L, Sarve P, Setiya S, Bharadwaj S.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(1):347. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cystic hygroma.Sabhalok SS, Shetty LS, Sarve PH, Setiya SV, Bharadwaj SR.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(suppl 1):347-50. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Suqati AA, Alherabi AZ, Marglani OA, Alaidarous TO.Bilateral combined laryngocele.Saudi Med J.2016;37(8):902-3. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.8.15104Hosri J, Yammine Y, Hadi NE, Aoun J, Mourad M, Hadi U.Intramuscular lipoma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: A rare entity revisited.Clin Pathol. 2024;17:2632010X241260200. doi:10.1177/2632010X241260200Virk JS, Verkerk M, Patel H, Ghufoor K.Massive lipoma of the posterior neck.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016(1):1-2. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-214502American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas.Hwang SM, Hwang JY, Moon JH, Yang I, Woo JY, Lee HJ.Children and adolescent patients with goiter and normal thyroid function: US findings related to underlying autoimmune thyroid diseases.Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(35):e30095. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030095University of Michigan Health.Radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism.National Health Service (UK).Ingrown hairs.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr.2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mumps in adults.National Cancer Institute.Head and neck cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.University of Maryland Medical System.How does stress affect the immune system?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Y, Qiao J.CT and MRI of superficial solid tumors.Quant Imaging Med Surg.2018;8(2):232-251. doi:10.21037/qims.2018.03.03
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Verma R, Khera S.Cervical lymphadenopathy: A review.Int J Health Sci Res. 2020;10:292-8.Weinstock MS, Patel NA, Smith LP.Pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.Pediatr Rev. 2018;39(9):433-443. doi:10.1542/pir.2017-0249Benaglio F, Vitolo B, Scarabelli M, et al.The draining lymph node in rheumatoid arthritis: current concepts and research perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015(1):1-10. doi:10.1155/2015/420251Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.University of Michigan Health.Swollen lymph nodes.Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971Sabhalok S, Shetty L, Sarve P, Setiya S, Bharadwaj S.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(1):347. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cystic hygroma.Sabhalok SS, Shetty LS, Sarve PH, Setiya SV, Bharadwaj SR.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(suppl 1):347-50. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Suqati AA, Alherabi AZ, Marglani OA, Alaidarous TO.Bilateral combined laryngocele.Saudi Med J.2016;37(8):902-3. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.8.15104Hosri J, Yammine Y, Hadi NE, Aoun J, Mourad M, Hadi U.Intramuscular lipoma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: A rare entity revisited.Clin Pathol. 2024;17:2632010X241260200. doi:10.1177/2632010X241260200Virk JS, Verkerk M, Patel H, Ghufoor K.Massive lipoma of the posterior neck.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016(1):1-2. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-214502American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas.Hwang SM, Hwang JY, Moon JH, Yang I, Woo JY, Lee HJ.Children and adolescent patients with goiter and normal thyroid function: US findings related to underlying autoimmune thyroid diseases.Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(35):e30095. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030095University of Michigan Health.Radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism.National Health Service (UK).Ingrown hairs.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr.2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mumps in adults.National Cancer Institute.Head and neck cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.University of Maryland Medical System.How does stress affect the immune system?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Y, Qiao J.CT and MRI of superficial solid tumors.Quant Imaging Med Surg.2018;8(2):232-251. doi:10.21037/qims.2018.03.03
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Verma R, Khera S.Cervical lymphadenopathy: A review.Int J Health Sci Res. 2020;10:292-8.Weinstock MS, Patel NA, Smith LP.Pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.Pediatr Rev. 2018;39(9):433-443. doi:10.1542/pir.2017-0249Benaglio F, Vitolo B, Scarabelli M, et al.The draining lymph node in rheumatoid arthritis: current concepts and research perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015(1):1-10. doi:10.1155/2015/420251Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.University of Michigan Health.Swollen lymph nodes.Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971Sabhalok S, Shetty L, Sarve P, Setiya S, Bharadwaj S.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(1):347. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cystic hygroma.Sabhalok SS, Shetty LS, Sarve PH, Setiya SV, Bharadwaj SR.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(suppl 1):347-50. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09Suqati AA, Alherabi AZ, Marglani OA, Alaidarous TO.Bilateral combined laryngocele.Saudi Med J.2016;37(8):902-3. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.8.15104Hosri J, Yammine Y, Hadi NE, Aoun J, Mourad M, Hadi U.Intramuscular lipoma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: A rare entity revisited.Clin Pathol. 2024;17:2632010X241260200. doi:10.1177/2632010X241260200Virk JS, Verkerk M, Patel H, Ghufoor K.Massive lipoma of the posterior neck.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016(1):1-2. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-214502American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas.Hwang SM, Hwang JY, Moon JH, Yang I, Woo JY, Lee HJ.Children and adolescent patients with goiter and normal thyroid function: US findings related to underlying autoimmune thyroid diseases.Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(35):e30095. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030095University of Michigan Health.Radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism.National Health Service (UK).Ingrown hairs.Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr.2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mumps in adults.National Cancer Institute.Head and neck cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.University of Maryland Medical System.How does stress affect the immune system?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Y, Qiao J.CT and MRI of superficial solid tumors.Quant Imaging Med Surg.2018;8(2):232-251. doi:10.21037/qims.2018.03.03
Verma R, Khera S.Cervical lymphadenopathy: A review.Int J Health Sci Res. 2020;10:292-8.
Weinstock MS, Patel NA, Smith LP.Pediatric cervical lymphadenopathy.Pediatr Rev. 2018;39(9):433-443. doi:10.1542/pir.2017-0249
Benaglio F, Vitolo B, Scarabelli M, et al.The draining lymph node in rheumatoid arthritis: current concepts and research perspectives.Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015(1):1-10. doi:10.1155/2015/420251
Penn Medicine.Lymphoma of the head and neck.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.
University of Michigan Health.Swollen lymph nodes.
Won SJ, Kim RB, Kim JP, Park JJ, Kwon MS, Woo SH.The prevalence and factors associate with vocal nodules in general population: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(39):e4971. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004971
Sabhalok S, Shetty L, Sarve P, Setiya S, Bharadwaj S.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(1):347. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cystic hygroma.
Sabhalok SS, Shetty LS, Sarve PH, Setiya SV, Bharadwaj SR.Epidermoid and dermoid cysts of the head and neck region.Plast Aesthet Res. 2016;3(suppl 1):347-50. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2016.09
Suqati AA, Alherabi AZ, Marglani OA, Alaidarous TO.Bilateral combined laryngocele.Saudi Med J.2016;37(8):902-3. doi:10.15537/smj.2016.8.15104
Hosri J, Yammine Y, Hadi NE, Aoun J, Mourad M, Hadi U.Intramuscular lipoma of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: A rare entity revisited.Clin Pathol. 2024;17:2632010X241260200. doi:10.1177/2632010X241260200
Virk JS, Verkerk M, Patel H, Ghufoor K.Massive lipoma of the posterior neck.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016(1):1-2. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-214502
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas.
Hwang SM, Hwang JY, Moon JH, Yang I, Woo JY, Lee HJ.Children and adolescent patients with goiter and normal thyroid function: US findings related to underlying autoimmune thyroid diseases.Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(35):e30095. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030095
University of Michigan Health.Radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism.
National Health Service (UK).Ingrown hairs.
Sukumaran V, Senanayake S.Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections.Aust Prescr.2016;39(5):159-163. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.058
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Mumps in adults.
National Cancer Institute.Head and neck cancer.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
University of Maryland Medical System.How does stress affect the immune system?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About infectious mononucleosis.
Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Y, Qiao J.CT and MRI of superficial solid tumors.Quant Imaging Med Surg.2018;8(2):232-251. doi:10.21037/qims.2018.03.03
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