Neck Lump: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:

• General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
  • Inspection (viewing) of the skin and mucous membranes.
  • Inspection and palpation of the entire neck region (including the thyroid region) with special attention to the lymph node stations* .
  • Palpation of the abdomen (abdomen), etc.
• Cancer screening

* Notes on palpation findings (palpation findings).

• Soft, well-displaced and pressure-dolent lymph node enlargement → often in inflammation.
• Small, hard, painless, displaced lymph nodes – sign of old healed lymphadenitis (lymphadenitis).
• Hard, painless, with the surrounding tissue “caked” lymph nodes → malignant (malignant) changes (eg, metastases).