What other conditions can present with a lump in the neck?

A lump that appears along the side of the neck may be an enlarged lymph node, which can be caused by a number of different conditions. The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, a network of connected structures that are part of the body’s immune system. Lymph nodes in the neck may become enlarged to the point where they can be seen or felt as lumps beneath the skin as a result of infection or cancer. Although the location and characteristics of a lump usually provide clues as to what it might be, in some cases special tests, such as sonography, may be required to determine whether a particular lump represents a thyroid nodule or an enlarged lymph node.

Certain cancers that develop in the mouth, throat, larynx, and esophagus may grow large enough to produce a lump in the neck. For the most part, these cancers are also cause problems with swallowing, changes in the voice, chronic coughing, or unexplained pain or discomfort.

If the entire lower front part of the neck appears to be swollen and bulging outward, it may represent a goiter. A goiter is caused by diffuse enlargement of the entire thyroid gland. It may be caused by a number of different conditions, some of which also cause overactivity or underactivity of the thyroid gland. It is usually possible to distinguish a diffuse, smooth goiter from a thyroid nodule on the basis of a physical examination, but in some cases special tests may be required to determine whether neck swelling represents an area of specific growth or generalized enlargement of the thyroid gland.

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