Concerned about Lump in Neck
 

January the 5th I discovered a lump in my neck, left side, just under the jawbone. It's fairly small (hasn't changed in size) moveable and doesn't hurt. Since it's right in the lymph node area, I first attributed it to a simple swollen node. Plus since we've been passing around the cold viruses here at home (mostly brought home from Kindergarten by my son) again, I assumed it was from that.

I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to have it looked at, but I've been doing some online research about neck lumps and I'm scaring myself half to death, reading all of the possible causes and one of them, of course, is cancer.

Has anyone else ever had this problem?

Oh, I'd like to add that I haven't really had any other symptoms (like sore throat or anything like that) although I have had excessive drainage in my throat since I found the lump. But that could be just a coincidence and the drainage could be due to a slight cold. I may have FOUND the lump on January 5th, but it's possible it's been there for some time.

Well, I don't know what it could be. Just let us know what the doctor says tomorrow!

Is it a small, hard lump, round?

I had one in my armpit area like that once. It turned out to be a cyst.

Good idea to have to Dr. check it out.

STOP LOOKING AT THE INTERNET!!!!! I "gave myself" AIDS doing that one time!

Yes, please stop looking at the internet. I had the same thing happen to me a couple weeks ago and had a really bad cold at the time. I just happened to rest my face on my hand and noticed a little tenderness just under the jawbone, felt around and discovered a lump. Instantly got online and nearly cried at all the worst possibilities. I called my doctor the next morning and she said it most likely is a swollen node and that it's common to get with the common cold. Since then, it's gone away. Don't worry, but let us know what your dr. says. :hug:

Hi

PLEASE take the excellent advice of yohoney and quit looking at the internet for medical information regarding your lump! You are a smart lady to go to a physician and have it checked out.

I've had something similar to what you described for about 8 years. I've been checked by 2 physicians and also my brother who is a dermatopathologist.

I have been told that small lumps in the neck are not uncommon. The main thing is that the lump is moveable and has discrete borders. If it is a malignant lump, according to what I understand, it is refered to as "fixed" and is not moveable. It adheres to the area underneath. Also the borders or edges of the lump are not easily felt and will often be irregular if it is a cancerous lesion.

This sounds similar to what you have. I wanted to tell you about my experience to hopefully help you feel less anxious. Of course, ONLY a physician who can actually physically examine you can determine what is going on.

Good luck with your physician visit! Please PM me if you have any questions.

My son had a large neck lump when he was a preteen, and it scared us to death because we'd never heard of such a thing. The doctor said it was normal and would go away, and it did. It never came back. He indicated that it was fairly common and nothing to worry about. Of course it's always best to have it checked, just in case, but it's probably nothing to worry about. Good luck :)

Best of luck for your appointment...

lol, I think I did once, too.

Thanks everyone, for your responses. I guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see what's going on.

That's what I thought this was at first, but it hasn't gone away. Which is why I want to have it checked out. If it *IS* something drastic, maybe it can be treated before it develops into bad things :(

OH, I'd like to add to another response, yes, the lump is moveable. Not sure what you mean, exactly, by being able to feel the borders, but it feels to me like a perfectly round knob. Maybe about the size of a small lima bean. I can't grab ahold of it, though, but I can move it around. And no, it's not hard. It's formed, but rather soft.

Again, thanks for all of your comments, that makes me feel a little better. I really should know better than to look up stuff online, but it's my easiest source for information, lol. Unfortunately, it's also the scariest.

Oops, sorry for double post (see below).

Okay, for starters, I'm not a doctor, just so you know. But from the location and lack of other symptoms, it sounds like a harmless condition known as a parotid tumor (benign tumor of the salivary gland). I had one removed a few years ago. It was a fairly straightforward outpatient procedure performed under general anaesthetic. If that's what yours is, you'll be just fine. :)

Please keep us posted.

Did you have excessive drainage in your throat by any chance?

I assumed that was just from my sinuses, but I'm wondering if the lump has anything to do with it.

My husband had a recurring lump on his throat with no other symptoms--finally went to an ear, nose & throat specialist who sent him to a dentist. It was actually a problem with a infected tooth which he got pulled and has never had the lump again.

Don't get worked up until you find out what the doctor says---keep us posted!

I would never have guessed a tooth problem!

I've had 2.

The one on my neck came up overnight and was larger than the one you described. It was non malignant.

The second one was in my vaginal area after having a baby (common to get cysts there) and ended up being a blood clot.

Having said that, both cases may or may not sound scary to you, but they were fixable. That was my bottom line and I was happy with it.

Never heard of the cold one, but I am not suprised.

Let us know please.