Medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of cervical node (lump on the neck).
Family history
- What is the general health of your relatives?
- Are there any diseases in your family that are common?
- Are there any hereditary diseases in your family?
Social history
- What is your profession?
- Are you exposed to harmful working substances in your profession?
Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- When did you first notice the lump?
- Did it develop slowly? Or did it appear acutely?
- Is the lump sensitive to pressure?
- Does the node move with you when you swallow? or
- Is the knot firmly cemented to the skin?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms such as fever, general feeling of illness, etc.?
- Do you suffer from dysphagia?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- Have you lost body weight unintentionally? If so, how many kilograms in what time?
- Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol more often? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses of it per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, which drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (infectious diseases, neoplasms).
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Vaccination status
- Allergies
- Environmental history
- Medication history
