Causes of Lumps on the Neck

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There are many possible causes for a lump on the side of the neck. It may be due to a swollen lymph node caused by certain viral or bacterial infections. Or, it may be a benign (non-cancerous) growth like a cyst, lipoma, or goiter. On rare occasions, certain head and neck cancers can cause a lump along the neck or jawline.

Though each of the conditions has distinct signs and symptoms, you may need to be seen by a healthcare provider who can diagnose the exact cause and prescribe the right treatment.

This article discusses possible causes of a lump in your neck, including those that are benign and those that are malignant (cancerous).

common causes of a swollen lymph node

Verywell / Jessica Olah

Possible Causes of Lumps in Your Neck

A lump in your neck may be caused by an infection or an immune reaction to the infection. It may involve an abnormal growth of tissues or changes in cells that lead to cancer. Some of these causes can be diagnosed by your primary care provider.

Others may require a specialist in skin conditions called a dermatologist or a cancer specialist called an oncologist.

Swollen Lymph Nodes (Lymphadenopathy)

One of the most common reasons for a lump in your neck is swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are tiny organs found in clusters in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin that are an important part of your immune system. They help filter disease-causing germs from fluids circulating through the body's lymphatic system.

Lymph nodes are filled with defensive white blood cells called lymphocytes. If you have an active infection, these blood cells will activate to neutralize the germ. The ensuing inflammation causes the lymph nodes to swell and become warm, red, and painful.

This is referred to as lymphadenopathy. If the cervical lymph nodes (located in the neck, jaw, and behind the ears) are involved, it is called cervical lymphadenopathy. The swelling may be pea-sized or as large as a grape. In addition to pain, heat, and redness, the lymph nodes will be very firm.

Cervical lymphadenopathy can be caused by serious and non-serious infections like:

Cervical lymphadenopathy can also be caused by autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

Less often, cervical lymphadenopathy can be caused by blood cancers like ​non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). With NHL, the lymph nodes tend to be big, hard, and immovable.

Nodules

A nodule is a general term for an abnormal growth of tissue anywhere in the body. Most cases are not cancerous. With that said, the term is sometimes used as a placeholder to describe any abnormal lump which may, after investigation, turn out to be cancer.

One example of a nodule in your neck is a vocal cord nodule caused by the overuse of your vocal cords or persistent acid reflux.

nodule dermatofibroma

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Cysts

Lumps in your neck can also be fluid-filled sacs called cysts. These can form almost anywhere in the body. A cyst usually feels soft.

Types of cysts in your neck include:

  • Cystic hygromas: These are benign malformations of lymphatic vessels, mainly in the neck.
  • Dermoid and epidermoid cysts: These are cysts that form in different layers of the skin, including the neck.
  • Laryngocele: This is a type of cyst that develops in the folds of the larynx (voice box).

Many cysts go away on their own. However, depending on their size and location, they may have to be surgically drained if they cause pain or become abnormally large.

epidermoid cyst

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Lipomas

A lipoma is a benign lump filled with fat. Those found on the neck commonly develop on the fatty part of the back of the neck. They may also develop less commonly in the neck muscles (intramuscular lipoma) or the parotid gland situated in front of the ear (intraglandular lipoma).

Lipomas are not cancerous. They may have to be surgically removed depending on their size and location. People with a family history of lipomas are more likely to get them.

No there are rare fatty tumors called liposarcomas that are cancerous.

lipoma

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Goiters

Another common cause for a lump in your neck is an enlarged thyroid gland, also known as a goiter.

Goiters appear in the front of the neck, usually on one side, and will move up and down when you swallow. They are usually a sign of a thyroid problem, but can also appear if you have normal thyroid function.

Goiters can often be treated with medications. These include Synthroid (levothyroxine) if you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and radioactive iodine if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

In some cases, goiters have to be surgically removed.

Goitre

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Boils

Sometimes, neck lumps are related to infections. A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle. They can be deep, hard, and fairly large.

Most boils are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria found on the skin and inside the nose. Boils develop at sites where the skin has been broken by a small injury.

Neck boils are common in people with coarse beards who have ingrown hairs. Shaving can break the skin and provide S. Aureuas easy entry into ruptured hair follicles.

Boils can be drained by a healthcare provider. Oral or topical antibiotics may be needed to resolve the underlying bacterial infection. Sometimes boils have to be drained by a surgeon using a procedure called incision and drainage.

Boil

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Head and Neck Cancer

Cancer is a less common cause of a lump on your neck. These malignant tumors, while rare, fall under the larger category of head and neck cancers.

Those involving the neck include:

  • Hypopharyngeal cancer: A type of throat cancer
  • Laryngeal cancer: Cancer of the larynx (voice box)
  • Metastatic neck cancer with occult primary: Cancer that has spread from a primary tumor to the lymph nodes of the neck
  • Salivary gland cancer: Cancer of the salary glands extending from the jaw to the cheeks

These tumors tend to be hard, irregular, rooted, and painless. Other possible symptoms include a change in your voice, pain with swallowing, and a persistent cough, sore throat, or earache.

Cancerous lump

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Should I Be Worried About a Lump on My Neck?

It may be easy to conclude that a neck lump is a swollen lymph node and nothing to worry about—and you may indeed be right. For example, if you have a cold and other related symptoms, frequently experience this when you get sick, and the lump popped up quickly.

Still, the only way to know for sure if your neck lump is worrisome or not is to see a healthcare practitioner.

There are some features of neck lumps that can raise red flags. For example, here's how a cancerous lump differs from a neck lump due to a swollen lymph node:

Swollen Lymph Node Cancerous Neck Lump
About 1/2 inch in diameter Can be 1 or more inches in diameter
Rubbery Hard
Regular shape (like a marble) Irregular shape
Moveable when touched Does not move when touched 
More likely to be painful More likely to cause no pain
Appears suddenly, then improves Gradually grows in size or remains

Any signs of a cancerous lump should prompt a trip to your healthcare provider. You should also get evaluated if your neck lump is persisting, getting larger, or cannot be clearly tied to a recent illness.

Diagnosing a Neck Lump

In some cases, a practitioner can determine if your neck lump is likely a cause for concern based on a physical examination and a review of other symptoms you may be experiencing. For example, if you have mono, you may also have a fever or sore throat.

In others, testing will be needed to finalize the diagnosis.

Testing

If a lump is not obviously due to a swollen lymph node or the practitioner notices features of the lump that are suspicious or undefined, diagnostic imaging tests will likely be done. An ultrasound, X-raycomputed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help your provider see whether or not the lump is solid or fluid-filled.

Imaging tests can also measure how big the lump is and sometimes show whether the lump is affecting other organs and tissues nearby.

If the lump is not caused by infection or filled with fluid, your provider might want to perform a biopsy. Sometimes fluid-filled lumps will also be biopsied because they can also be cancerous (for example, if it is cystic thyroid cancer).

For a biopsy, a small amount of tissue is taken from the lump. A tissue sample can usually be taken using a needle, but some have to be taken surgically. Your provider will let you know if and when you need to have a biopsy and the best way to take the tissue.

The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory to see what the lump actually is made of.

Summary

Lumps in your neck are most likely not serious. The most common cause of neck lumps is that your lymph nodes are swollen. This commonly occurs when your body is fighting an infection, such as the flu, mono, or strep throat. As the infection clears up, your swollen lymph nodes should go back to their normal size.

Neck lumps or nodules can also be caused by cysts, boils, lipomas, and goiters. These are not cancerous, but they may need to be surgically drained or removed by a provider.

It's less common, but lumps on the neck can also be a sign of cancer. If the lump is getting bigger or not going away, tell your provider. They can figure out what the lump is and recommend the best way to treat it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should I be concerned if I have a lump in the neck that won't go away?

    There are many causes of neck lumps, some of which are not concerning. However, a persistent neck lump can be a sign of cancer. See your healthcare provider for a full evaluation.

  • How can you tell if a neck lump is cancerous?

    A tumor is often hard and does not move when you press on it. But you won't know if a lump in your neck is a cancerous tumor unless you see your healthcare provider. Tests can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

  • Can stress cause swollen lymph nodes?

    Anxiety and stress can tax your immune system, but there is no evidence that they directly make your lymph nodes swell.

  • How are swollen glands treated?

    Treatment for swollen lymph nodes (aka swollen glands) depends on the cause. For example, antibiotics will be prescribed for a bacterial infection. Using a warm compress and a pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) can help with discomfort until you get better.

19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kristin Hayes, RN
Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.