Neck lump

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lymphatic system

Neck lump

Overview

Treatment

Neck lump

Alternative Names:

Lump in the neck

Home Care:

Consult your health care provider for treatment of the cause of the neck lump.

Call your health care provider if:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have prolonged and abnormal neck swelling or the presence of lumps.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting your neck lump in detail may include the following:

Is it a firm 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 it located?
Has it been increasing in size?
Over how many months?
What other symptoms are also present?
Is there a rash?
Is there difficulty breathing?

If a thyroid goiter is diagnosed, medical management or surgical removal may be indicated. If a thyroid nodule is suspected, a radioactive thyroid scan, CT scan of the head or neck, or thyroid biopsy may assist in diagnosis and treatment.

If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary. If the cause is a benign mass or cyst, surgical removal may be necessary.

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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