Symptoms · Neck
A lump or swelling in the neck
The short answer
Most neck lumps are swollen lymph nodes reacting to a throat or skin infection, and they settle in two to three weeks. A lump low in the front of the neck that moves when you swallow is usually in the thyroid gland. A lump that is hard, painless, growing, or lasting more than three weeks needs a doctor's check, with an ultrasound. Go to the emergency room if the neck swells quickly, or if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
How patients describe it
- A lump in the front of my neck
- A swelling under my jaw
- Something that moves when I swallow
- A tender gland after a sore throat
- A hoarse voice
Go to the emergency room now if you have
- Difficulty breathing, or noisy breathing
- You cannot swallow your saliva
- A neck swelling that grows over hours, or after an injury
- Fever with a hot, red, very painful neck swelling
- A feeling that the neck is closing, or choking
What can cause it
Swollen lymph node (infection)
A tender, movable lump with a sore throat, cold or skin infection. It settles in two to three weeks.
Next step: Wait and recheck; see a doctor if it lasts longer.
Thyroid swelling (goitre or nodule)
A lump low in the front of the neck that moves up when you swallow.
Next step: Neck ultrasound and thyroid blood tests.
Thyroid cancer or another growth (less common)
A hard, painless lump that does not move, sometimes with a hoarse voice.
Next step: Ultrasound and a needle sample; see a doctor soon.
Cyst or benign lump
A soft, smooth lump that grows slowly, such as a skin cyst or a salivary gland swelling.
Next step: Examination and ultrasound.
What you can do now
- Look at the lump in a mirror, note its size, and check whether it moves when you swallow
- Do not squeeze or massage it
- See a doctor if it lasts more than three weeks, even without pain
- Tell the doctor about hoarseness, weight loss, night sweats, or thyroid disease in your family
Tests your doctor may order
- Examination of the neck and throat
- Neck ultrasound
- Thyroid blood tests, and sometimes a fine needle sample
When is surgery needed?
- Many neck lumps need no operation. A thyroid nodule that is cancerous, suspicious, very large, or causing symptoms is treated by removing part or all of the thyroid (thyroidectomy).
- After the whole thyroid is removed, you take thyroid hormone tablets for life; after removing half, you sometimes need them.
Related operation guides
Questions people ask
Is a neck lump always cancer?
No. Most are swollen lymph nodes or benign thyroid nodules. A lump that is hard, growing or lasts more than three weeks should be checked.
What are the risks of thyroid surgery?
A temporary drop in calcium occurs in about 10–20 in 100 people, a lasting voice change in about 1–2 in 100, and a lasting drop in calcium in fewer than 2 in 100. Your surgeon will explain them before you decide.
Will I need tablets after the operation?
After the whole thyroid is removed you always need thyroid hormone tablets. After removing half of it, you sometimes do.
This page gives general information and does not replace the advice of your treating team. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room.