Should you be concerned about a growth or lump in your neck?

Below you will see six different swellings of the neck and throat. This list is not exhaustive, but gives an idea of ​​the diversity of swellings. In addition, you will see when it is best to consult a doctor and what the doctor will look for during your visit.

5 Possible Causes of a Neck Lumps

1. Lymph nodes

A swelling of one or more lymph nodes is the most common swelling in the neck or throat. A lymph node is a bean-shaped structure that has an important task in fighting germs. There are more than 100 of these lymph nodes in the neck and throat, some of which are close to the surface. That is why a swelling of one or more lymph nodes is often easy to feel here.

2. Salivary glands

The major salivary glands are located just behind and below the angle of the jaw, just below the ears and diagonally below the mouth. Common causes of swelling of the salivary glands are salivary stones and viral infections.

A salivary stone is made up of hardened saliva. If the salivary gland is blocked by such a stone, pain and swelling occur. These symptoms occur during and shortly after eating and then gradually disappear into the background. With a salivary stone, one salivary gland is usually swollen and the symptoms will persist until the blockage is removed. Treatment is important to prevent infection. In some cases, increasing saliva production, for example by drinking more water, is enough to flush the stone away. In other cases, medication or a minor surgical procedure is necessary.

Finally, a benign or malignant tumor can be the cause of a swollen salivary gland.

3. Thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is located centrally and at the bottom of the neck. A swelling can be general or take the form of nodules (rounded bumps). In some cases, people with a thickened thyroid gland experience complaints. These are mainly benign swellings. The most common complaints are:

• Breathing or swallowing problems
• Signs of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism): weight loss, excessive sweating, tremors, nervousness, increased heart rate, muscle weakness
• Signs of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): fatigue, dry skin, depression, constipation, feeling cold, memory problems

4. Fat lump

A lipoma or fatty lump is a slow-growing swelling of fatty tissue, which is mainly seen in men between the ages of 40 and 60. It is the most common benign tumor in the neck. Lipomas are usually between two and ten centimeters in size. In addition, they feel doughy, are easy to move and usually do not cause pain. If a fatty lump presses against a nerve, it can cause pain. Treatment is almost never necessary. However, you can have a lipoma removed if it is painful or for cosmetic reasons.

5. Cyst

Malignant swellings

In addition to these five common swellings, there are many other structures in the neck or throat that can be swollen. These include nerve pathways, neck muscles, the trachea, and blood vessels in the region.

Although malignant swellings are not among the most common swellings in the neck or throat, it is important to pay attention to this type of swelling because of the seriousness of the situation. The following rule of thumb is used among doctors: in adults aged 40 years or older, 75% of non-thyroid swellings in the neck or throat that are larger than two centimeters in diameter are of malignant origin.

Mostly it concerns metastases. The doctor will look for the location of the primary tumor, which is usually in the head and neck region. In about 10% of cases the tumor will be located elsewhere in the body.

When should you consult a doctor?

In case of any swelling in the neck or throat with an unknown cause, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

In addition, the following signals indicate that you should contact a doctor immediately:

• persistent fever (longer than five days)
• unexplained weight loss
• breathing or swallowing problems
• severe pain
• night sweats
• long-lasting and/or increasing complaints
• unexplained fatigue
• swelling that feels hard or rubbery
• swellings that occur all over the body

Also read: Lymphoma or lymph node cancer: what are the symptoms?

What will a doctor look for during your visit?

Age

In the case of swellings of two centimetres or more, an important distinction is made with regard to age: a swelling in the neck or throat in children is in 90% of these cases of a benign origin. Usually it concerns an inflammation or a congenital condition. As mentioned earlier, adults over the age of 40 have a greater chance that these swellings (larger than two centimetres) are a malignant swelling.

Development of the swelling

The doctor will pay attention to the origin and growth process of the swelling. If an infection is the cause of the swelling, the swelling will occur quite suddenly and will usually disappear within two to six weeks. Congenital swellings are usually noticeable at birth as small bumps and grow over time. If there is a malignant swelling, a fairly rapid and continuous growth is seen. The doctor will also ask about other symptoms (such as the previously mentioned warning signs) and your lifestyle (such as tobacco use) to confirm the clinical picture.

Location

The location of the swelling will give the doctor a lot of information about its origin. For example, malignant swelling of lymph nodes shows a predictable pattern and congenital swellings are located in typical locations in the neck.

Physical examination

Also read: What is cancer and how do you get it?

Sources:
Roland, N., & Bradley, P. J. (2014). Neck swelling. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 348, g1078