There are many causes of lumps in the neck. The most frequently seen lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes, which can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, malignancy, or other rare causes. Enlargement of the salivary glands under the jaw may result from infection or malignancy. Lumps in the muscles of the neck -- almost always in the front of the neck -- result from injury or torticollis. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts, including sebaceous cysts. The thyroid gland may also produce a lump, multiple lumps, or swelling in the neck as a result of thyroid disease or malignancy. Most cancers of the thyroid gland are extremely slow-growing and often curable by surgery even if they have been present for several years. All neck lumps in children and adults should be checked immediately. In children, most of them are caused by treatable infections. However, treatment should start quickly to prevent either spread of the infection or complications. As adults age, the likelihood of the lump being a cancer does increase, particularly for those who smoke or drink significant amounts of alcohol. Fortunately, most lumps in adults are not cancers. | 
Internal Medicine
