Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
A lump in the neck may not always be a sign of a serious medical condition. Their causes may be of a different nature. Treatment for lumps in the neck usually involves treating the underlying disease. Therefore, before the doctor introduces the appropriate therapy, numerous tests should be performed in order to make a correct diagnosis.
A lump in the neck is usually clearly visible under the skin. It can be both an enlarged lymph node and a symptom of advanced cancer. It is only possible to find out the cause of a lump in the neck with appropriate tests.
Lump on the neck – origin
The formation of a lump in the neck often begins with inflammation. Usually, when your body becomes inflamed, the lymph nodes get enlarged. The infection usually develops within the lymph nodes and may be the result of viral infections, e.g. infectious mononucleosis, bacterial, e.g. angina, or protozoa, e.g. toxoplasmosis.
If not only the nodes on the neck are enlarged, but also, for example, in the groin, this may indicate AIDS. It happens, however, that lumps on the neck may be the result of carious changes in the teeth or appear as a result of the so-called pigs.
Lump on the neck – tumors
The appearance of a lump on the neck requires, first of all, the exclusion of neoplastic disease, especially in adults, the elderly and children. The lumps often do not hurt and are also not tender. They can be both soft and hard.
In adults, lumps in the neck are usually benign. However, these changes can be malignant and even indicative of metastasis. Benign lesions include atheromas, lipomas, schwannomas and neurofibromas.
However, it should be remembered that lumps in the neck are also malignant changes. It is the result of hematological diseases such as leukemia and solid tumors such as neuroblastoma.
Neck metastases usually result from cancers of the larynx, pharynx, thyroid and mouth cavity, as well as cancers of the salivary glands.
Lumps on the neck – the thyroid gland
Structural pathologies associated with the thyroid gland often give symptoms in the form of a lump in the neck. It can be caused by both homogeneous enlargement of the thyroid gland and a nodular lesion. If thyroid nodules are diagnosed, more extensive diagnosis is needed as lumps in the neck may suggest thyroid cancer.
Take care of your thyroid now with Daily Thyro ° on the thyroid gland – a dietary supplement whose active ingredients increase the sensitivity of the thyroid to TSH.
Lumps on the neck – children
Neck lumps in children are often congenital. They are often cysts and birth defects of blood and lymph vessels.
Neck lumps in the middle and sides of the neck can appear at any age. However, they are most characteristic of childhood. They result from developmental disorders of the tissues of the fetus. In the case of lumps on the side of the neck, they are associated with respiratory infections.
Lumps in the neck – diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis of lumps in the neck depends on the age. It is associated with the development of certain medical conditions more often in specific age groups.
If you notice any disturbing symptoms, you must visit your family doctor. Diagnostics will begin with a physical examination, which allows to locate the lump on the neck, its structure and shape, as well as to determine the degree of pain or mobility of the lesion. The doctor will also assess the structures surrounding the lump in the neck or the condition of the skin above the tumor, e.g. redness.
When diagnosing the causes of a lump in the neck, it is important to determine the moment of the lesion or its possible cause. It is also important to identify other accompanying symptoms, such as fever, carious lesions or rapid weight loss.
Lumps on the neck – research
Laboratory tests are an important element in the diagnosis of lumps in the neck. These are mainly morphology, CRP, some serological tests, or the level of thyroid hormones. In the case of a lump in the neck, it is also worth performing an ultrasound of the thyroid gland to assess the structure of the nodule and surrounding structures and lymph nodes.
If necessary, a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the lump in the neck should be performed. If the lump in the neck is the result of enlarged lymph nodes, the entire node is occasionally excised for histopathological examination. It is also possible to perform computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Lump in the neck – treatment
The choice of treatment for a lump in the neck depends on the underlying disease causing the lesion. If the lump in the neck is caused by strep throat, an antibiotic should be given. If it is caused by viral diseases, treatment is symptomatic. Neck lumps resulting from caries require dental treatment.
The lumps in the neck in the form of a cyst require surgical removal. In a situation where changes are the result of an ongoing neoplastic disease, it is necessary to introduce appropriate oncological or haematological treatment.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.