Lump in neck can feel pain, but it can also cause no pain at all when held. Although it is generally harmless, the lump in the neck may signify a serious health condition disorder.
If you have a lump in neck, whether it is painful or painless, you should immediately see a doctor to get a proper and safe treatment.
Causes of lump in neck.
Enlarged lymph nodes are the most common cause of lump in neck. Lymph nodes contain cells that help your body fight infections and attack malignant cells (cancer). When you are sick, your lymph nodes can grow to help fight infections.
Read also: Symptoms of cancer in children.
There are many causes of lump in neck. Here are diseases causing lumps in the neck, among them:
Tuberculosis (TBC).
TB is not only associated with lung health. The disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria also affects other parts such as the gland, causing the lymph nodes in the neck.
The disease begins with prolonged fever, long-lasting cough, decreased appetite, as well as lumps in the neck, armpits and thighs. Just that is often found is a lump in neck. The lump appears to be grouped. In addition, the lump can rupture at any time and expel liquids such as pus.
A lump may be a cancer cell.
Lumps in neck or behind the ears may be caused by nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) that spreads to the lymph nodes in the neck.
These bumps are usually painless, but shouldn’t be ignored.
Other symptoms of NPC include hearing loss, nasal obstruction and nose bleed, blurred vision, facial pain, or numbness and headache.
Even if you do not have the above mentioned symptoms, but have a lump in your neck, then you should meet a doctor.
Because it can also be another type of cancer. Such as skin cancer or can be caused by benign tumors.
Read also: Bump on roof of mouth, What is the cause?.
Goiter.
Goiter is an enlargement that occurs in the thyroid gland. This thyroid gland is an important gland that regulates the metabolism of the body located at the front of the neck. If there is a problem with this gland, a solid or liquid lump may appear on the neck. As a result, nerves in the neck will be depressed and make it difficult to breathe and swallow food.
Be sure to check your doctor to see if you have hypothyroid or hyperthyroidism. Because, these lumps can not be lost by just taking medication. Therefore, you have to go through the surgical procedure of the neck.
Additional skin or subcutaneous lumps.
The lumps in the back of the neck can also arise from the thickened skin below or above the skin tissues. Most of these lumps are not cancerous and do not cause certain symptoms. But a fraction of this lump can sometimes turn into cancer.
Signs that must be considered when the neck lump appears, among others:
- Change size of lump.
- Discoloration of surface bumps.
- Bloody.
- Another lump appeared around the lump.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
Salivary gland enlargement.
Salivary gland is an organ in the neck that secretes saliva. These glands help you digest food for easy admission into the digestive tract.
These glands can sometimes be enlarged for various reasons, including tumors, infections, or the consequences of other underlying medical conditions. Then not infrequently, the enlargement of the salivary gland can cause a lump in the right or left neck. For further diagnosis and examination, it is good to consult a physician immediately.
Read also: How to get rid of neck fat without surgery.
Lymph nodes.
The cause of the lumps in the neck is most often enlarged lymph nodes. Lymph nodes contain cells that help the body fight infections (bacteria or viruses), and get rid of malignant cells (cancer).
Bacterial infections of the scalp, sinus, tonsils, throat, tooth, or salivary gland may cause enlargement of the lymph glands.