If this lump has been diagnosed as a cyst also known as a Lipoma (fatty cyst)-- then usually these go untreated since they are harmless. However, you can have it removed at your request.
Lipomas are located just under your skin. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs.
Soft and doughy to the touch. They also move easily with slight finger pressure.
Generally small. Lipomas are typically less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, but they can grow larger.
Sometimes painful. Lipomas can be painful if they grow and press on nearby nerves, or if they contain many blood vessels.
Based on what you're saying, though, it sounds as though you could have a swollen lymph node-- depending on the location of the lump. Here's a great picture on the location of lymph nodes in your neck: http://www.healblog.net/wp-content/uploads/head_lymphnodes2.jpg
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. When your lymph nodes first swell, you might notice:
Tender and painful lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes that may be the size of a pea or kidney bean, or even larger
Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes, other signs and symptoms you might have include:
Runny nose, sore throat, fever and other indications of an upper respiratory infection
General swelling of lymph nodes throughout your body — which may indicate an infection, such as HIV or mononucleosis, or an immune disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Swollen limb, possibly indicating lymph system blockage caused by swelling in a lymph node too far under your skin to feel
Hardened, fixed, rapidly growing nodes, indicating a possible tumor
Fever
Night sweats
When to see a doctor
Some swollen lymph nodes return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a minor infection, resolves. However, see your doctor if you're concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:
Have appeared for no apparent reason
Continue to enlarge or have been present for more than two weeks
Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you push on them
Are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss
Are accompanied by a sore throat or by difficulty swallowing or breathing
Nobody knows your body better than you do, if you truly feel like there is something wrong, please go to your doctor and ask for further testing.
Comment Reply
Hi Truds121,
If this lump has been diagnosed as a cyst also known as a Lipoma (fatty cyst)-- then usually these go untreated since they are harmless. However, you can have it removed at your request.
Lipomas are located just under your skin. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs.
Soft and doughy to the touch. They also move easily with slight finger pressure.
Generally small. Lipomas are typically less than 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, but they can grow larger.
Sometimes painful. Lipomas can be painful if they grow and press on nearby nerves, or if they contain many blood vessels.
Based on what you're saying, though, it sounds as though you could have a swollen lymph node-- depending on the location of the lump. Here's a great picture on the location of lymph nodes in your neck: http://www.healblog.net/wp-content/uploads/head_lymphnodes2.jpg
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. When your lymph nodes first swell, you might notice:
Tender and painful lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes that may be the size of a pea or kidney bean, or even larger
Depending on the cause of your swollen lymph nodes, other signs and symptoms you might have include:
Runny nose, sore throat, fever and other indications of an upper respiratory infection
General swelling of lymph nodes throughout your body — which may indicate an infection, such as HIV or mononucleosis, or an immune disorder, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Swollen limb, possibly indicating lymph system blockage caused by swelling in a lymph node too far under your skin to feel
Hardened, fixed, rapidly growing nodes, indicating a possible tumor
Fever
Night sweats
When to see a doctor
Some swollen lymph nodes return to normal when the underlying condition, such as a minor infection, resolves. However, see your doctor if you're concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:
Have appeared for no apparent reason
Continue to enlarge or have been present for more than two weeks
Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you push on them
Are accompanied by persistent fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss
Are accompanied by a sore throat or by difficulty swallowing or breathing
Nobody knows your body better than you do, if you truly feel like there is something wrong, please go to your doctor and ask for further testing.
Keep us posted!
Rosa
October 29, 2011 - 9:02amThis Comment
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