Knot on back of neck near spine

The symptoms of head and neck cancer vary according to where the cancer began. Some general signs of head and neck cancer include the following:

  • A Lump on the back of Neck, Jaw, or Mouth
  • A Mouth Ulcer
  • Pain or Weakness in the Face
  • Neck Pain
  • Difficulty Moving the Jaw
  • Difficulty Swallowing
  • Speech Problems
  • Ear Pain or Hearing Loss
  • Trouble Breathing
  • Sore Throat
  • White or Red Patches in the Mouth or Throat
  • Weight Loss
  • Other Signs of Head and Neck Cancer

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A Lump on the back of Neck, Jaw, or Mouth

A lump in the jaw or mouth is a common sign of head and neck cancer. Lumps can also form in the lips.

A lump in the neck may be a sign of thyroid cancer. Or it may be caused by an enlarged lymph node. Swelling in one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of head and neck cancer, including mouth cancer and salivary gland cancer.

Lumps that come and go are not typically due to cancer. Cancer usually forms a lump that slowly gets bigger.

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A Mouth Ulcer

A broken area of skin (ulcer) that will not heal can be a sign of oral cancer. Most people with mouth cancer have this symptom.

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Pain or Weakness in the Face

Pain or discomfort in the face that doesn’t go away is a common symptom of salivary gland cancer and mouth cancer.

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Neck Pain

People with thyroid cancer sometimes notice swelling or small painless lumps called thyroid nodules in the front of the neck.

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Difficulty Moving the Jaw

A head and neck tumor that involves the bones, muscles, or nerves of the jaw can make it difficult to open your mouth. Most people are able to open their mouth about the width of three fingers. If you are having trouble opening your mouth this wide, see your doctor. This condition is known as trismus. Chances are that you don’t have cancer, but it can lead to other serious health problems.

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Difficulty Swallowing

Head and neck cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food. You might feel like food is stuck in your throat. You may cough or feel like food or liquid are going into the airway (windpipe).

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Speech Problems

Head and neck cancer can affect your voice. It might sound different. It may be quieter or husky. It may sound as if you have a cold all the time. Or you might slur some of your words or have trouble pronouncing certain sounds.

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Ear Pain or Hearing Loss

Ear pain is common with throat cancer. You may experience ringing in the ears.

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Trouble Breathing

Throat cancer can affect breathing. Nasal congestion is a common sign of sinus cancer and other head and neck cancers. Some people may experience nosebleeds.

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Sore Throat

Pain or discomfort in the throat that doesn’t go away is one of the most common symptoms of throat cancer.

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White or Red Patches in the Mouth or Throat

An abnormal-looking patch could be a sign of cancer or precancerous changes.

  • White patches are called leukoplakia.
  • Red patches are called erythroplakia.

These patches are not cancer. If left untreated, however, they may lead to cancer. A fungal infection called oral thrush can also cause red and white patches.

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Weight Loss

Weight loss is a common symptom of many different types of cancer. Head and neck cancer can make it painful to eat and difficult to swallow, which can cause weight loss.

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Other Signs of Head and Neck Cancer

These can include one or more of the following:

  • a lump or thickening in the lips
  • unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
  • loose teeth for no clear reason
  • dentures that no longer fit
  • difficulty moving the jaw
  • frequent nosebleeds, ongoing nasal congestion, or chronic sinus infections that do not respond to treatment
  • difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaws or tongue
  • numbness in the tongue or other areas
  • changes or discoloration in a mole, or a skin sore that is crusted or fails to heal (these are also signs of skin cancer)

Symptoms of a head and neck tumor often resemble those caused by other conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms and have concerns, speak with your doctor.

I have been posting on here recently on topics related to neck lumps as I had one myself and was diagnosed yesterday with a cyst. I was convinced it had been cancer, however due to the terror I felt I'd like to help to provide some reassurance based on my personal experience. 

What are your exact symptoms?

The type of cancer associated with neck lumps is either Hodgkins Lymphoma or Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Both of these are a cancer of the lumph nodes and lymphatic system. 

To reassure you, although the ultrasound indicated it may look abnormal, this does not mean you have cancer. There are plenty of other causes of neck lumps which are not cancer. Did you go through this with the doctor, and did they go into any detail at all?

Best, Emily x

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22 Nov 2019 09:15

Lump at back on neck

22 Nov 2019 09:15 in response to Emily_B

Hello Emily 

 

thankyou for replying! Did you get diagnosed for your cyst by having the ultrasound? 
I keep looking into lymphoma but they seem to be on the side of the neck whereas mine is right by my spine just below the base of my skull. You can't see it I can just feel it and I seem to be getting a stiff neck now.

The doctors kept shrugging it off but when I had the ultrasound yesterday he said it feels abnormal and he will send over the results and ask the doctor for more tests by today so I'm hoping to hear what the next move is. 
 

im just concerned because the doctors didn't do it as urgent and I've already waited 6 weeks for the scan it's all just taking to long. I have been having night sweats literally every night. 
 

im glad your results came back ok! 

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21 Aug 2022 10:22

Lump at back on neck

21 Aug 2022 10:22 in response to Becca2019

I know this was a few years ago and I'm truly hoping all is well. 
 

reading your post sounds just like what I have and have had now for some time. I took unwell early 2021, general feeling of feeling poorly and fatigue however as well as this I had bad neck pain especially when flexing it forward or back and muscle pain under my shoulder blade. Like spasms. Tightness in the muscles between my ribs and a feeling of something stuck in my throat which would affect my voice.  My voice would cut out while speaking or weaken. After many bloods a back X-ray pain meds, a private appt with a neurologist, a full spine mri done several months ago which I was convinced must show something but it didn't, after developing a labrynthitis type issue I was referred back to neurology. My appt is now only 8 days away. Over the last few weeks I've felt my neck pain and muscle tightenings worsen in my back and a couply of weeks ago found a lump at the top of my spine, it seems to pop out as I flex my neck backwards about the size of my thumb nail possibly bigger and its able to move, if I put any pressure on it it presses in and as soon as I straighten my neck up again it's gone.. the majority of my pain starts from just below this. I've definitely got weakness to the muscles under my right shoulder blade where any sight ly strenuous activity using it leaves me in a lot of pain. Neck, to the right of my spine and under the shoulder blade. I only tired to scrub a few marks on a rug yesterday and since then I've been miserable , so sore.. 

did you have any similar symptoms to what I've been suffering from? And have you had any answers..

thisnis me 1 year and 5/6 months since I felt unwell and all this discomfort started with still no answers. I had to take 3 months off work last year while I was so fatigued. Thankfully as much as I still have the neck and back muscle pains I don't feel unwell anymore although last few weeks  I feel I'm getting more tired again. At the time I was tested for covid and also had antibody tests done which outrled it so it's not long covid and wouldn't explain this lump that I've now discovered.

What does a knot on the back of your neck mean?

Your posterior cervical lymph nodes are located near the back of your neck. Several things can cause a swollen posterior cervical lymph node, but the most common cause is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. Some other common causes of swollen lymph nodes include: strep throat.

What does a cancerous lump on the back of neck feel like?

Cancerous lumps are typically hard and often pain-free in the early stages, starting up deeper in the body. Lumps that are associated with growths or sores in your mouth are also worrisome, as is any lump accompanying throat problems, such as hoarseness or trouble swallowing.

When should I worry about a lump behind my neck?

Remember that lumps can appear anywhere on your body - not just your neck - and usually they're harmless. If you're particularly worried about a lump on your neck or the lump hasn't gone away after 2 weeks, always get it checked by a doctor.