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What Does An Uncomfortable Lump Below The Neck Suggest?

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Posted on Sat, 19 Dec 2015
Question: I have a small moveable lump on the area below my neck and above my collar bone (kind of in the hollow part where there's a dip). I've also noticed that the muscle on the same side of my neck is larger than the other side. Sometimes it's uncomfortable when I swallow or yawn but not always. Should I be worried?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not worried but better to get a diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/26 - small movable lump above collar bone as described - muscle on the same side larger - sometimes it is uncomfortable when you swallow or yawn - Want to know whether to be worried about.

Small movable lump can not cause any of the symptoms you have mentioned.
The muscle/s on the same side being larger than that of the other side can be possibly due to lymph nodes near but hidden by them.

Since the lump is there along with muscle enlargement on the same side, it is wise to get a clinical evaluation, examination and investigations under the guidance of your Doctor.
Ultrasonography and FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) are the best investigations to find or rule out the underlying problems.

I hope this answer helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably lymph node.

Detailed Answer:
The commonest swelling to occur in this area is lymph node.
Sebaceous cyst and lipoma is another common possibility.
Sleeping or sitting at work habits can cause the muscle difference as your have rightly noted.

Irrespective of the things being visible or not, your findings are more important to take a note of.
Any thing which is not normal should be sought after.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (0 minute later)
Could the lump itself be a lymph node? Is there any other reason besides lymph nodes that could cause the bigger muscle or is asymmetry in the neck common? The difference is not visible if that helps, nor is the lump.

I sleep on my stomach/one side of my body every night, could that affect neck muscles?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Not true.

Detailed Answer:
Noted that it is on right side of neck.
This is not at all true.
The are of occurrence of the lymph nodes due to cancer will totally depend upon the area of affection whether by infection or cancer.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 minute later)
Thanks.

I don't think I've mentioned that it is on the right side of my neck. I've heard that cancer can be a common cause of enlargement of lymph nodes above the collar bone on the right side. Is this true?
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19778 Questions

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What Does An Uncomfortable Lump Below The Neck Suggest?

Brief Answer: Not worried but better to get a diagnosis. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. To recapitulate: Female/26 - small movable lump above collar bone as described - muscle on the same side larger - sometimes it is uncomfortable when you swallow or yawn - Want to know whether to be worried about. Small movable lump can not cause any of the symptoms you have mentioned. The muscle/s on the same side being larger than that of the other side can be possibly due to lymph nodes near but hidden by them. Since the lump is there along with muscle enlargement on the same side, it is wise to get a clinical evaluation, examination and investigations under the guidance of your Doctor. Ultrasonography and FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) are the best investigations to find or rule out the underlying problems. I hope this answer helps you.