Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
210459 tn?1197082192

hard lump in neck under skin

I have had a lump in my neck for 7 years. I have buried my head about it till now afraid of what it may be. The lump is non painfull and about the size of a marble. It is slightly visible and protrudes maybe a tenth of an inch from neck. it has grown very slightly in the seven years. The lump is hard and mobile under skin. it feels like its attached to the skin underneath. the skin over it is normal colored. it is located directly in the middle front of neck just beneath my adams apple. Can anyone tell me possible diagnosis of such lumps. I have no medical insurance and want to know how serious this may be. Please help  Matt..
34 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hmm, maybe a thyroglossal cyst. Does it move up and down when you swallow?
Helpful - 0
210459 tn?1197082192
Hey, first of all thanks for responding! No it does not move up and down when i swallow. I can pinch it around the skin and move it around a bit. It is attached to the inside of the skin though. I dont think the lump is attached to the thyroid or anything else but the skin.   Thanx again, Matt
Helpful - 0
210459 tn?1197082192
Also I looked up Thyroglossal cysts and mine doesnt drain through skin at all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Common midline neck lumps are:
1.Thyroglossal cysts: these are most common,  usually deeper and attached to the neck cartilages (the adams apple) so they move up and down when you swallow.

2. Dermoid cysts
3. Sebaceous cysts

These two are usually firm and very close under the skin and have a well defined edge. (sound like yours)

4.Lipoma: this has an irreglular edge and is kind of soft.

5.Midline lymph nodes

6. Ectopic thyroid gland

5 and 6 are kind of rare.
Helpful - 0
210459 tn?1197082192
Docbostoston you have been very helpfull. I really do appreciate your feedback. I am almost certain it is a dermoid cyst after researching them. The possibility that it is something potentially benign as this gives me the confidence to have it checked. I am making an appointment. Thanks again Sir .....Matt
Helpful - 0
197575 tn?1215532624
It could be your thyroid.  I found a lump in March and after multiple tests and fine needle biopsy, it turned out to be cancer  I had to have my thyroid removed completely.  Go to thyroid disorders area- many people full of knowledge.  Don't be scared, I hear it is a 15% chance of cancer.  But do get it checked out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a similar problem as the original poster.  Just recently I have discovered a round lump under my adam's apple. Its in the center of my throat and almost looks like a second Adam's apple when I swallow.  Im a 23 year old male (non-smoker and non-drinker).  It doesnt hurt at all and the only reason I found is, I was rubbing my neck and felt a lump.  It moves up and down when I swallow.  If Im sitting relaxed it doesnt portrude my skin...but if I flex my muscles or make my neck tight it is a noticeable lump.  I have been having alot of drainage lately if this is a symptom of something. I can touch it and it moves around and feels rather soft but firm at the same time.  Can someone help me.  Its really worrisome b/c I dont know what it is.

Thanks!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a smilar problem.  For two years, I have had a small marble sized lump under the right side of my jaw.  It is firm but not hard (maybe rubbery).  It has not changed over the last two years and the are ocassionally feels a bit sore.  The lump is high mobile..I can move it from under my jaw, around the other side, and up a bit.  It is not in my skin...it is in the neck cavity, below the skin and tissue.   I dont think a lymph node or gland as I do not believe such structures are round or can move so freely.  Also, I am under the impression that cancers tend to be attached to tissue, are largely stationary, and tend to grow.   Any ideas?  I have posted something about this on the board, but no one has responded.  Please give me any suggestions.  

PS
I am a 25 year old male.  I only drink a glass of wine here and there, but I do smoke (with periods of quitting in between).  I have had severe teeth problems (early decay) and I always assumed it related to that until now.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have small lump almost 1inch on side of my neck (slightly back ) for about 4 years .. i didn't check with doc because i don't wanna be a burden on my parents who have tight financial position. n offlate i saw another small lump in front side of my neck .. n it is movable ...
is this cancer?
please answer me
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been online researching cysts of neck and jaw. My 12 year old has had a small, pea sized soft knot on her neck for over a year. Now there is one on her jaw that is same and tender. I am freaking out. will call the doctor tom. - wondering your thoughts. Please respond.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can someone help me figure this out.
My father lives on an island where there is no good medical facilities, the closest one would be in Hawaii which is 2,000 dollars away. He has been seen for this problem by the doctors on the island he's at, but they don't know what it is, and so far they've put him on I believe 3 different antibiotics to see if it goes down.
He's almost lost his voice - been 3 months now.  
The doctors found a lump in his neck after doing a scan of some sort. Since then, the lump has now formed liquid that protrudes and moves around his neck - one day it could be over the lump area, then the next it's moved to the front of his throat.
He is also having a hard time swallowing. He says that when he swallows, more air goes down than the now puree'd food. The doctors have now been injecting him with the antibiotics because he is unable to swallow them.
The swelling has grown and has spread to one side of his chest. So from the neck to the chest area has swelled.
My father says that he is in no pain.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have 3 lumps marble sized -1 exactly under my left jaw not mobile but protrudes the skin when stretched........the other 2 exactly underneath about 6 inches right above my collar bone that are a little smaller but move about a fingers space----please respond if u no anything
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
two days ago I found a small lump on the left upper side of my neck close to the top when I touch it it hurts and when I move my neck some times. When I swallow it does not hurt.
I am only 15, 16 in December  can you help me ?
Ben
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
About two and a half years ago my father felt a lump on the left side of his throat about two inches below his ear.  It seemed to be growing so he went to the doctor and had a CT scan.  And yes it turned out to be cancer.  A squeosma (spelling?) cell carcenoma.  The best guess is that it was from cancer cells that migrated to his neck from a spot of skin cancer that he had removed from just infront of his left ear.  Now two and a half years, three surgeries, thirty radiation treatments, and 4 chemotherapy treatments later he has growths on his collarbone and the base of his neck.  All expanding out from under the skin and one of which is starting to ooze because it is pushing through the skin.  And we are now waiting to hear from his surgeon as to whether or not another surgery is possible.  Why do I post all this, you may ask?  Because cancer ***** and I want to urge anyone that finds any unusual spot or lump to get it checked as soon as possible.  My father was lucky in one way, he has decent insurance.  I of course, like many others in this economy, do not and it freaks me out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
   DocBoston, I have the same thing as Mbradyc, except I have many of them. Is there any way I can get them to go away without surgery?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In 2001 a Lump appeared under my adam's apple about one inch below it. It became a matter of concern and sought medical attention they could not get a positive diagnosis and wanted to do sugery to check it out. I agreed  Biopsy came back non cancerous 9 Doctors gave their opinion while I laid opened up on the table for 10 hours. Thyroid was removed. The cause was, when I was born I had an enlarged thymus gland and they used Xrays to burn it down. They did and they also fried my thyroid in the process. The transformation in body and spirit has been uplifting to say the least. My thoughts are if anything appears on your neck in the throat area. RUN don't walk to the doctor and get it fixed NOW! I walked around for 53 years unaware what was in my neck until one day it pop it's ugly head. If you have a lump somethings wrong.
John
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hey i have the same problem. mine is under my right jaw and is mobile when i move it and when i twist my head it sticks out just a little also. can some1 help me on how to get rid of mine and tell me what it is
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think i have this same problem..I was born with two little knots on the right side of my neck and they never hurt when i touch them or press them..my doctor told me they were grease balls or something like that..but that was like 7 years ago..i am 16 and i want to know if these knots/lumps will get bigger and form a tumor or if it will develop into some deadly disease..PLEASE HELP!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i also felt one lump when i put my neck down i feel it. i scared ... it was... and exams are near the corner. i am sec 1 only... i dont want to die so early. some of my friends and adults said it maybe was a growing "apple" but i think it is not. The "apple" can grow at the side of neck? i dun think so. untill now it is still not so pain. so i really very scared.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
ok on the right side about an inch under my ear and an inch from my jaw i have a hard lump under my skin that feels like its attatched to muscle thats there. there is a masquito bite on top of it but they dont seem to be related to each other. does anything know what the possibilities are of it being cancer? i am 15 turning 16 in September.
Helpful - 0
1466457 tn?1286326543
I am 13, and I have had a lump, which is most likely a cyst, in the side of my neck for about 3 years. I had it ever since I was choked by this retarded kid over something stupid. It was nothing serious. But... Ever since that day, I have had lumps in my neck. I used to be scared to death it was cancer, but I would've died or something at this point if it was. I'm too scared to ask the doctor. I also have it on the other side of my neck, and in the vaginal area. Im not so much worried. I mean, I kinda have forgotten about them. But, I am sharing this to tell you idiots it is not cancer. And go to the freaking doctor if you are do dang worried. Most likely, it's a cyst. They can give you medication, or drain it... you know. Non-risky stuff. I doubt they even need to preform surgery. So yeah. I'm thirteen and know more than most of you. :P
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a 22 year old female I actually went to the doctor 5 months ago because I was having these killer headaches everyday and he said that it was stress from school.I got a MRI done and there were no problems. yayy! My neck was very very tense and he found a lump(most likely a muscle knot). Well now it's been four months and the muscle knot hasn't gone away but the headaches went away as soon as I finished my semester at school. So I was just wondering whether it was a muscle knot or something else? Thanks for the replies ahead of time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
@invaderZIM
u have it on ur neck, and in the vaginal area aswell. i got off the fone to my health care n they ask if i had any lumps on my gron i sed no coz i do. then she sed if u had u need to go to YOUR GP coz is can be cancer... so i would goto ur doc.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
@invaderZIM
u have it on ur neck, and in the vaginal area aswell. i got off the fone to my health care n they ask if i had any lumps on my gron i sed no coz i dont. then she sed if u had u need to go to YOUR GP coz is can be cancer... so i would goto ur doc.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Here are 15 ways to help prevent lung cancer.
New cervical cancer screening guidelines change when and how women should be tested for the disease.
They got it all wrong: Why the PSA test is imperative for saving lives from prostate cancer
Everything you wanted to know about colonoscopy but were afraid to ask
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Get the facts about this disease that affects more than 240,000 men each year.