Lumps on the neck turn out to be completely harmless in many cases. However, the complaints can also be based on a serious disease. Early diagnosis and treatment is then vital.
What is a lump on the neck?
Normally, lumps on the neck are caused by problems with the lymph nodes, which are responsible for removing pathogens and toxins. Nodes on the neck are defined by their different characteristics. They can take different sizes and shapes, and the firmness also differs depending on the cause. Normally, lumps on the neck are caused by problems with the lymph nodes, which are responsible for eliminating pathogens and toxins. If problems occur in this process, lumps develop in the region between the chin, ears and shoulders.
Causes
There are many causes of lumps on the neck. Most often, they are caused by swelling of the lymph nodes, which in turn is due to a bacterial infection or effect. In this case, they are not independent nodes, but only greatly enlarged lymph nodes. The increased activity in the lymphatic channels is responsible for the swelling of the lymph nodes. Complaints of this type occur mainly in children and the elderly, as they usually have a much weaker immune system than adults. A frequent cause of nodes on the neck are also diseases of the salivary gland. For example, if abscesses occur or the salivary gland is weakened by flu viruses, swelling of the neck occurs. Causes of this type can be underlying in people of any age. In addition, the complaints are also triggered by thyroid gland diseases. For example, so-called neck cysts, which are completely harmless, but can become inflamed if not treated. Finally, lumps on the neck can also be triggered by life-threatening diseases such as lymph node cancer or metastases. In both cases, treatment as soon as possible is essential for survival.
Diseases with this symptom
- Metastases
- Tuberculosis
- AIDS
- Cervical fistula
- Cancer
- Pharyngitis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Goiter
- Tumor
- Boeck’s disease
- Syphilis
- Jugular vein thrombosis
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis of lumps on the neck is usually made by the affected person himself or by an acquaintance who draws attention to the swelling. For the most part, pain does not occur, but affected individuals often experience a pressing sensation in the affected area. In order to find out whether the lump is caused by a serious illness or whether it is a harmless side effect of the flu, a doctor must be consulted. He will diagnose the cause of the lump based on its size, firmness and shape. Part of the diagnosis is also an ultrasound examination, with the help of which cysts, metastases or tumors can be excluded as the cause. If there is a suspicion that the disease is serious, blood tests and an MRI scan are usually ordered to clarify the matter. The course of the symptoms depends to a large extent on the underlying causes. If it is merely a swelling of the lymph nodes, antibiotics are usually quite sufficient, while nodes that turn out to be dangerous tumors may have to be irradiated.
When should you go to the doctor?
Lumps on the neck are harmless in many cases and do not necessarily require medical attention. A visit to the doctor is recommended if the lumps have appeared relatively suddenly and are not due to lymph node disease or another cause. As soon as the swelling feels hard or hurts, a doctor should be consulted. The same applies to lymph nodes that are more than two centimeters in size or are rapidly increasing in size. Redness, tenderness and moist areas indicate a serious cause that should be clarified immediately. Especially if accompanying symptoms such as fever, night sweats or shortness of breath are added. If the lumps on the neck are accompanied by a general feeling of illness, this should be discussed with the family doctor. If the symptoms are severe, a hospital should be consulted. Clarification is necessary at the latest if several lumps are felt and these appear to be clumped together.In general, therefore, lumps on the neck should be observed in any case. In case of abnormalities and accompanying symptoms, medical advice should be sought immediately to avoid an unfavorable course and serious complications.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of lumps on the neck is based on the exact clinical picture. If the symptoms occur due to a harmless bacterial infection or a flu-like effect, the doctor prescribes preparations that help the swelling to subside. Both antibiotics and naturopathic medications and therapies such as targeted acupuncture massage can be used. If the reaction is too late, an inflammation may have already developed or the lymph nodes may have been damaged in some other way. In that case, surgery is necessary to remove the nodule or, depending on the cause, to remove the tonsils. Treatment for thyroid disease is similar. Here, either antibiotics are used or the supply of certain minerals is initiated. Especially in the case of iodine deficiency, nodules quickly appear on the neck. This type of treatment often takes several weeks. Neck cysts and metastases generally have to be removed surgically. If the nodules are caused by cancer, further therapies and treatment steps are necessary. While thyroid cancer can be managed in the early stages with medications and surgical removal of the affected tissue, chemotherapy and radiation, among other treatments, are used as the disease progresses.
Outlook and prognosis
With a lump on the neck, different courses of the disease can occur. However, in most cases, the lump on the neck develops during a cold or flu. In this case, the symptom is rather harmless and can be treated by taking medication. As a rule, the lump on the neck causes pain and difficulty in swallowing. Ordinary food and liquid intake are then no longer possible. The lump on the neck thus restricts the quality of life. If tonsillitis has occurred, the tonsils must be removed in some cases. This surgical procedure is a routine operation and does not cause any further discomfort. In the worst case, surgery on the thyroid gland is necessary to remove the nodes from the neck. Cancers can also cause the nodules and must be removed. However, in most cases there is a positive course of the disease. To avoid subsequent damage or complications, it is advisable to see the doctor quickly if harmless circumstances such as the flu can be ruled out.
Prevention
Lumps on the neck cannot be prevented directly, but various measures can reduce the risk. For example, it is of course important to provide the body with sufficient vitamins and minerals, to eat a generally healthy diet, and to wear the right clothing in winter to avoid colds and flu. Thyroid cancer and metastases can only be prevented to a limited extent. However, regular routine examinations by a doctor can minimize the risk of long-term consequences. Finally, it is also important to keep an eye on your own body and not to ignore any abnormalities. Lumps on the neck are usually harmless, but should in any case be taken by a doctor under the “magnifying glass”.
This is what you can do yourself
Very often, a lump on the neck is a thyroid nodule. In general, it can be said that the more similar the cancer cells are to healthy cells, the better the prognosis. Benign tumors are usually curable with the right treatment, and malignant tumors can often be treated well. Overall, the chances of cure for thyroid nodules can be considered positive. As with many other diseases, early detection is important. In order to provide a well-founded prognosis, tumors are divided into those that have developed locally and those that have already reached an advanced stage. Laryngeal tumors have the best prospects of complete cure, followed by oral cancer. Revenge tumors do not have such a good prognosis. Unfortunately, it can often only be identified at an advanced stage. The condition of the lymph node system is also decisive for a good or poor prognosis.Spread of the disease is rather rare, and if metastases do occur, they usually occur in the lungs, but not in the bones. If the lump on the neck is an enlarged lymph node due to tuberculosis, the prognosis is very good with early diagnosis and consistent therapy. In the case of bacterial infections, acupuncture treatment can be used as an alternative to medication. Furthermore, in case of problems with the thyroid gland, an increased intake of iodine should be taken into account. Foods that contain algae have a high iodine content.