Lump on front or side of neck can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose lump on front or side of neck, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Epstein-Barr Virus | 95% | Confirm |
Mercury Toxicity | 30% | Unlikely |
Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia | 13% | Unlikely |
CLL Leukemia | 1% | Ruled out |
Hodgkin's Lymphoma | 1% | Ruled out |
Lymphatic Congestion | 1% | Ruled out |
Sarcoidosis | 0% | Ruled out |
Vasectomy Side-Effects | 0% | Ruled out |
SIDES OR FRONT OF NECK: Do you have any swollen lymph nodes here?
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ No → Often, but not right now → 1-2 lymph nodes swollen → 3 or more lymph nodes swollen |
The lymph nodes involved in CFS are small, moveable, not tender and most commonly involve the neck, axillary region or inguinal region. A single lymph node that is very large, tender or immovable suggests a diagnosis other than CFS. Similarly, generalized adenopathy suggests a diagnosis other than CFS.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes also suggests the following possibilities:
As another one of its nicknames – glandular fever – implies, perhaps the most distinguishing mono symptom is enlarged glands or lymph nodes, especially in the neck, but also in the armpit(s) and groin.
Swollen, firm and possibly tender lymph nodes lasting longer than three months are a symptom of AIDS.
Hodgkin's lymphoma may present initially as painless lymph node enlargement, especially of the neck and above the collar bone.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck have been associated with known mercury toxicity. Other sites reported include in front of the ear, under the jaw, and on the back of the neck.
The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin.