Overview
The most frequently seen lumps or swellings in the neck are enlarged lymph nodes. This can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, malignancy, and other rare causes.
Review Date 2/2/2023
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.