Back-Of-Neck Lymph Node Problems

What Causes Lump At Back Of Neck?

Lump at back of neck can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'serious' to 'generally fatal'.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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  • let The Analyst™ find what's wrong
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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose lump at back of neck, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "lump at back of neck" as a symptom.  Here are two possibilities:
  • Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
  • Mercury Toxicity

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
frequent swollen cervical nodes
abnormal taste in mouth
moderate mercury toxicity
preauricular node problems
loss of appetite
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
being easily excitable
poor bodily coordination
bulging eyes from hyperthyroidism
much past amalgam filling removal
heart racing/palpitations
vision disturbances
... and more than 40 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of lump at back of neck:
Cause Probability Status
Mercury Toxicity 95% Confirm
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma 53% Possible
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate recent swollen/painful lymph nodes, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
BACK OF NECK: Do you have any swollen or tender lymph nodes here?
Possible responses:
→ Don't know
→ No
→ Yes, swollen but not tender
→ Yes, tender but not swollen
→ Yes, swollen and tender
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either no back-of-neck lymph node problems or back-of-neck lymph node problems, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin.

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