The lumps can range in size from a half-inch to several inches in diameter. “While the majority of lumps are benign, it’s important to report persistent lumps and associated symptoms to your doctor.” What does a cancerous neck lump feel like?Ĭancerous lymph nodes can occur anywhere on the neck and are typically described as hard rather than squishy like the swollen nodes caused by infection. “Feeling a lump in your neck is not a reason to panic,” says Kartik Sehgal, MD, a head and neck medical oncologist and director of the Thyroid Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center. (Other significant ailments can cause the lymph nodes to swell, including strep throat, mononucleosis, tonsilitis, and HIV.) Therefore, if the lump persists for more than a week or so, you should consult your doctor. Unlike a lump caused by infection, a cancerous lump will rarely disappear. In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes can be the first sign of cancer. Can a neck lump or swollen lymph nodes be a sign of cancer? If this is the cause, the swelling will disappear as soon as the infection is defeated. The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is that they are fighting an infection, which indicates that they are operating effectively as part of your immune system. This is similar to the system that transports blood. Hundreds of lymph nodes are connected by a vascular system that transports white blood cells, which help fight infections by attacking germs, bacteria, and diseases. These small, bean-shaped capsules are located throughout the body and are responsible for filtering and removing harmful substances from your body. Lymph nodes are key components of the body’s immune system. What are the lymph nodes and how are they related to neck lumps? If your neck lump is caused by a swollen lymph node, it could be cancerous - but again, this is far from the most likely explanation. However, a neck lump can also be an early sign of several types of cancer, so if your lump does not go away in a week or two, you should consult with your doctor. There are a host of more common causes of neck lumps, including infections, cysts, boils, and other common skin irritations. The first thing you should know is that most neck lumps are not a sign of cancer.
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