

Treatment may include:Ĭongenital cysts are usually surgically removed to prevent them from growing too large or getting infected. Treatment for a goiter depends on the size, symptoms, and the underlying condition causing it. You can have surgery to remove them if they grow too large, cause symptoms, or for cosmetic reasons. If lymph nodes fill with pus, they may have to be surgically drained. Treatment depends on the underlying infection, and may include: Swollen lymph nodes due to infection should go away as your body clears the infection. This may be the case with lipomas or small goiters. Imaging tests that can help with diagnosis include:Ī lump in the neck may not need treatment at all, or your doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach. At this point, your doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist for specialized care. When signs and symptoms point to a thyroid issue, thyroid function tests can help figure out what’s going on. If it appears that the problem is swollen lymph nodes, the next step is to find out if you have an infection. If you’re at high risk for cancer, your doctor may recommend a biopsy for a lump without a known cause. But moveable lumps can be suspicious, too.
#Sore lymph nodes in neck skin#
Your symptoms and the physical examination will help determine next steps.Ī lump that feels firm and doesn’t easily move under the skin is more likely to be cancerous than a soft, moveable lump. A doctor may also take a look inside your ears, mouth, and throat. Physical examination will include feeling the lymph nodes under your throat, all around your neck, and down to the collarbone. Be sure to discuss all other symptoms, even if you don’t think they’re related. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to have a doctor check it out. In general, a lump that goes away within 1 to 2 weeks is not a serious problem. If you’re dealing with an illness and have swollen lymph nodes, they should return to normal size as you recover. These cysts aren’t cancerous, but they can cause problems and are usually treated in childhood. They’re usually diagnosed at a young age. taking lithium, a drug used to treat mental health disordersĬongenital cysts are those that develop before you’re born.radiation treatment to the neck or chest.overactive or underactive thyroid gland.If you feel individual lumps or general lumpiness, you likely have a nodular goiter.Ī goiter can be small enough to ignore but can grow quite large. When the lump feels smooth to the touch, it’s because the entire thyroid is swollen. One telltale sign of a goiter is that it moves up and down when you swallow. GoiterĪ goiter is swelling of the thyroid gland, which is located in front of the neck. Unless they grow large or push on sensitive tissue, lipomas are harmless. Lipomas develop from an overgrowth of fat cells and are benign.

