The symptoms
A bump on the neck can be conspicuous by various features. In most cases it can be recognized by the visible swelling on the neck. This can occur in different areas of the neck, either on one side only or also on both sides and can vary in size.
Another important role is played by palpation, where a bump on the neck can be detected. It should always be questioned whether it could be a lymph node that has swollen due to the activation of the immune system. The lymph nodes have typical localizations and are mainly found under the jaw and on the lateral neck, along the so-called sternocleidomastoid muscle (the head nicker muscle).
When palpating, various criteria can help to identify the cause. For example, a bulge that is easy to move is more likely to be a harmless cause and a painful bulge is often an indication of an acute inflammation, such as that caused by influenza. Depending on the cause, a bump on the neck often also causes other symptoms that should be considered.
If the cause is, for example, the thyroid gland, changes in blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, sweating and sleeping disorders are also common. If the larynx is involved, hoarseness and cold symptoms often also occur. A bump on the neck can cause pain.
Often these occur mainly when touching and are called pressure pain. A painful swelling is often a sign of an acute process, such as an inflammation. In this context, attention should be paid to other signs of inflammation.
These include, for example, a warming of the swelling and visible redness. Pain usually speaks against a malignant cause and is therefore not a typical sign of cancer. Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted for clarification.
A bump on the neck can occasionally cause headaches. In this context, however, headaches are not a typical accompanying symptom of common diseases. Therefore, it should always be considered that the headache exists independently of the bump on the neck and coincidentally occurs at the same time.
They can also occur together with fatigue and fever in the case of influenza with swollen lymph nodes. In rare cases, they are an accompanying symptom of infectious diseases. These include, for example, Pfeiffer’s glandular fever, which leads to inflammation of the tonsils and throat and often causes headaches.
Evidence of cancer
If a bump on the neck is detected, you should first of all remain calm. The probability that the bump is not dangerous is very high. There are some criteria that are typical for cancer and which should be taken into account.
If the lump is present for several weeks, this is more likely to be an indication of acute inflammation and a malignant process. The lymph nodes should also be palpated regularly. This can include a lack of pressure pain, poor mobility and an increase in size over a longer period of time. If there is fear and uncertainty, a doctor should always be consulted.
