There is a hard lump in the neck

The most likely reason for a hard lump growing inside the neck is swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are the most important immune organs in the body, so once they become swollen, they must be taken seriously. In many cases, if swollen lymph nodes do not appear alone, it may be caused by other diseases or metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes. It is urgent to make a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Generally, the nature and cause of the swollen cervical lymph nodes can be identified and the possible primary lesions can be explored based on their location, size, texture, mobility, and the presence or absence of tenderness. The cervical lymphatic tissue comes from the lymphatic drainage of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, mouth and face. Inflammation or cancer in these areas can invade or metastasize to the lymph nodes in various groups in the neck. Sometimes esophageal, chest, and even gastrointestinal cancers also metastasize here.

1. Tuberculosis. It can be primary or secondary to tuberculosis lesions in the abdominal cavity. The course of the disease is long. The enlarged lymph nodes are in the form of strings, of medium quality, movable, and non-tender. They can adhere to each other into clumps. If they are caseous necrotic and rupture, fistulas will be formed.

2. Inflammation. Acute cases are characterized by redness, pain, and heat, with rapid onset and local tenderness. The swelling will subside after anti-inflammatory treatment. Chronic cases have a long course of disease, are active, non-tender, and are often located in the submandibular area.

3. Malignant lymphoma. It is a malignant tumor that occurs in the lymphoreticular tissue. The tumors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are painless, progressively enlarged, hard, and have poor mobility. Hodgkin's lymphoma is often bilateral, with symptoms such as fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss and fatigue.

4. Metastatic malignant tumors. It is one of the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy. The primary lesions are mostly located in the head and neck. The lumps gradually increase in size, become hard, have poor mobility, and are not tender. They are often unilateral but may also affect both sides. Nasopharyngeal cancer, tonsil cancer, and laryngeal cancer often metastasize to the supraclavicular lymph nodes. Cancers of the nose, paranasal sinuses, mouth, and face often invade the submandibular lymph nodes, and esophageal cancer metastasizes to the supraclavicular lymph nodes.

5. AIDS. It is caused by invasion of human immunodeficiency virus. The disease has a long course, with gradual enlargement of lymph nodes, often with enlarged inguinal lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, fatigue and leukopenia.