Neck lump

Alternative names:

lump in the neck

Home care:

Consult your health care provider for treatment of the cause of the neck lump.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is prolonged and abnormal neck swelling or the presence of lumps.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your neck lump in detail may include:

• type
  • Is it a firm lump?
  • Is it a relatively soft, pliable bag-like (cystic) mass?
  • Is it a painless bag-like (cystic) mass?
  • Is the entire neck swollen?

• location/distribution
  • Is it in the front part of the neck?
  • Is the lump at the base of the neck?

• time pattern
  • Has it been increasing in size?
    • Over how many months?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there a rash?
  • Is there difficulty breathing?

Intervention:
If a thyroid goiter is diagnosed, medical management or surgical removal may be indicated. If a thyroid nodule is suspected, a radioactive thyroid scan, CT scan of the head or neck, or thyroid biopsy may assist in diagnosis and treatment.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to a neck lump to your personal medical record.