Neck Lump
Hello everyone,
I am a 26yo F. On July 8th, 2021, I notice this hard, painless lump on the left side of my neck. I attached a picture of it. It is not mobile at all and has not gone down with daily stretches, ice packs in the mornings, and heat pads in the evenings. I had some pretty bad neck pain in the back of my neck to shoulder blades around the time I discovered the lump but that has since cleared up. The only other thing I've noticed is fatigue.
Went to my primary care doc, she basically shrugged her shoulders and said it could possibly be due to muscle injury (I cannot recall one) but still referred me to ENT. ENT doc basically did the same thing but said to do an ultrasound next month just in case. Bloodwork including CBC and Thyroid panel came back normal. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? I have not been able to find photos of patients with similar neck lumps. Hopefully it's just muscular but wouldn't an injury be painful?
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I had a similar lump on my neck. Mine was a swollen lymph node and it was moveable so you could kind of tell that it was a node or nodule. My Primary gave antibiotics and after it did not go away completely he ordered a CT scan which revealed probable cancer which a biopsy confirmed. My blood work was perfect all the way up till chemo and radiation. I had tonsil cancer that spread to that swollen lymph node. A physical exam with eye and scope revealed nothing unusual. Only the CT scan and biopsy revealed the cancer. I am not saying that is what you have and I feel like the doctor would have spoken about your lymph nodes if they thought it was a lymph node. But you may ask just for your own peace of mind. Don't lay in bed thinking of the worst though as your swelling really don't look like mine. Good luck to you.
Update:
Hello everyone,
My ultrasound did not reveal the cause of my lump or anything out of the ordinary, which was a relief. However, during my recheck with ENT the day after the ultrasound, the doctor noted that it had in fact gotten larger. Then, 2 days later, I came down with painful lymph nodes from my chin to my under arm on the same side as the lump with no discernible cause or infection (Covid test was also negative). They have not responded to antibiotics yet though it is still the first week of taking it. So, to sum it all up, an MRI has now been ordered and I'm right back to where I started. I personally think the lymph nodes are just a crazy coincidence and my doctor reassured me that the MRI would have been done regardless since the lump grew bigger.
How confusing. I'm glad that your ENT is staying on top of it and has ordered an MRI. Please post an update again as you learn more.
I hate that you are going through this and pray the MRI gives you answers. As previously shared with you my doctor ordered a CT with contrast of my neck. Not sure why yours went with a sonogram first but glad the doctor is taking action.