Let's look at a cut section of a lymph node to see what happens.Īfferent means towards. Infection, even a trivial infection is, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes. The lymphatic system also plays an important role in the body's immune system. Some types of blood cells are also made in the lymph nodes. Its network of vessels, valves, ducts, nodes, and organs helps balance the body's fluid by draining excess fluid, known as lymph, from the body's tissue and returning it to the blood after filtering it. The lymphatic system has two main functions. Blood tests, including liver function tests, kidney function tests, and CBC with differential.Whether any nodes are painful when pressed.Examples of questions that may be asked include: Your provider will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Any node in a child is larger than 1 centimeter (a little less than half inch) in diameter.You have fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.They feel hard, irregular, or fixed in place.Your lymph nodes do not get smaller after several weeks or they continue to get larger.The lymph node may not return to its normal size for several weeks. The soreness usually goes away in a couple of days without treatment. Painful lymph nodes are generally a sign that your body is fighting an infection. Slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumor. Swollen lymph nodes that appear suddenly and are painful are usually due to injury or infection. Patients receive the expertise of a wide range of specialists in our Head and Neck Cancer Program, including medical oncologists, ENT physicians, radiation oncologists and supportive care providers to give them the best chance of a positive outcome and improved quality of life.Ĭall us to schedule a consultation at 1-88 or submit a new patient registration form online.Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the cause and the body parts involved. At Moffitt Cancer Center, we take an individualized approach to diagnosing and treating head and neck cancer, tailoring each treatment plan to the patient’s specific needs. In general, treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Treatment for head and neck cancer is highly varied depending on the type of cancer, its location in the neck and a patient’s overall health. What are my treatment options for head and neck cancer? Your doctor may also refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation. If so, your doctor may order a blood test, an ultrasound scan and/or a chest X-ray. He or she will examine the location of the neck lump and learn about any additional symptoms you’re experiencing to determine if further testing for head and neck cancer is needed.
You’ll first consult with your primary care physician who will conduct a full physical exam. If your neck lump doesn’t go away after a few weeks, grows in size or feels hard when you press on it, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to have the lump examined.Ī neck lump can be a sign of head and neck cancer, particularly if it is accompanied by any of the following symptoms: We have more than 100 lymph nodes in our neck and they can become swollen when our body is fighting an infection or experiencing inflammation. That’s because the most common cause of a neck lump is a swollen lymph node. Feeling a lump on your neck can be worrisome, but in the large majority of cases, these lumps aren’t cause for concern.