Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Neck lump

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Lump in the neck


Home Care

Consult your health care provider to have the cause of the neck lump treated.


Call your health care provider if

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have an abnormal neck swelling, or lumps in your neck.


What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical examination.

Medical history questions may include:

  • Is it a hard lump?
  • Is it a relatively soft, pliable, bag-like (cystic) mass?
  • Is it a painless bag-like (cystic) mass?
  • Is the entire neck swollen?
  • Where is the lump located?
  • Has it been growing bigger? Over how many months?
  • What other symptoms are present?
  • Is there a rash?
  • Do you have difficulty breathing?

If you are diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, you may need medication or surgery to remove it. If the health care provider suspects a thyroid nodule, the following may help in diagnosis and treatment:

  • CT scan of the head or neck
  • Radioactive thyroid scan
  • Thyroid biopsy

If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If the cause is a noncancerous mass or cyst, you may need surgery to remove it.


Review Date: 01/31/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)