I have been to the gp to see about this lump on my neck and they seem to not bother. Need some quick advice had this pea size lump for a week now and really worried as no one is prepared to see if anything is wrong.

Got throat cancer in the family generations.

Any help would be great as I am only 24 years of age. Thanks

Hello Laura82

It is a bit early to worry; there are many other causes for a pea sized lump in the neck. It is often the result of a lymph node inflammation caused by a self-limited bacterial or viral infection and resolves within weeks. Inflammatory disorders are usually acute in onset and resolve within several weeks. Cervical lymphadenitis often is associated with recent upper respiratory tract infection. Normal cervical lymph nodes in the neck are usually smaller than 1 cm. Normal lymph nodes are mobile, soft, and fleshy, without matting. The jugulodigastric node, which is commonly enlarged in cervical inflammatory disorders, may be as large as 1.5 cm, but nodes larger than 1.5 cm are abnormal. Enlargement from inflammatory disorders usually resolves within 2 weeks. Infectious mononucleosis may cause enlargement of multiple lymph nodes that lasts 4 to 6 weeks, but associated clinical symptoms are usually present to clarify this diagnosis.

However, the cause may also be one of several serious diseases and malignant tumors.

Findings that increase likelihood of malignant disease in patient with neck mass
Demographic characteristics and history

• Age >40 yr
  
• Previous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  
• Heavy tobacco use
  
• Heavy alcohol consumption
  
• Drug use (eg, marijuana)
  
• Family history of cancer
  
• Previous radiation therapy (eg, for thymic disease, acne)
  
• Neck swelling present for >3 weeks
  

I hope that makes you feel better. I would advise you to see you doctor again if it is still there after 3 weeks, but it could still be something else!

Best wishes
Vinod

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