![]() Developmental masses can slowly grow over time or become infected. Cysts are typically benign sacs of fluids that exist underneath the skin and are usually developmental. Setlur insists there is no cause for immediate alarm. Although parents might hear the word “cyst” and feel a pit in their stomach, Dr. The remainder of lumps found in the head and neck area are usually cysts or pre-existing bumps present at birth. “Our focus is reminding parents that the nodes are just doing their job and that it’s not uncommon for them to grow into noticeable lumps,” said Dr. ![]() Since a child’s immune system is less mature than that of an adult, lymph nodes can remain swollen for days, or even weeks, after a child stops experiencing the symptoms of an infection. When a person contracts a cold or a virus, lymph nodes collect more fluid than usual, which typically causes the nodes to swell and can result in noticeable lumps. Lymph nodes are commonly found underneath the surface of the skin in the groin, armpit and neck. They act as miniature water filters, collecting fluids full of pathogens like viruses and bacteria throughout the body and rinsing out the infectious agents. Existing as tiny, pearl-shaped tissues, these lymph nodes serve on the front line of the body’s immune system. The majority of lumps found on children’s necks are reactive lymph nodes. “In reality, there’s nothing they can do because the lumps are more natural than they think.” What are these lumps, then? “It’s natural for parents to feel a little bit guilty when they see these lumps and think, ‘Oh no, could I have done something to prevent this from happening,” she said. Despite, the unlikelihood of a cancerous diagnosis, parents may feel a sense of guilt for not catching the lump sooner. According to the American Cancer Society, the two most common types of lymphomas – Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - account for less than 10 percent of all pediatric cancers, and only a small portion of these occur in the head and neck area. Setlur points out that lymphomas are extremely rare causes of neck masses in children. “The unnecessary panic this causes is the last thing a parent needs when they think something might be wrong with their child.”ĭr. “Obviously, if you start searching ‘lump on my child’s neck,’ you’re going to get something scary,” Dr. An internet search can point to a worst-case scenario and set off a false alarm, especially if it wrongfully points to the lump being a lymphoma: A cancer that can grow from lymph nodes in the neck and easily spread to neighboring organs. Parents must resist the urge to look for answers on the internet, said Dr. Jennifer Setlur tells Focus what parents should do next. Trying not to fear the worst, you can’t help but wonder if it’s something insidious.īut fear not: That mysterious lump on your child’s neck is usually much less sinister than initially thought, yet still deserves expert attention. That lump wasn’t there a week-or-two before. Rather, it’s sitting underneath the skin and feels like a solid ball of exactly who-knows-what. You take a closer look and realize it’s not a mole or a bruise. Just as you pull their shirt up over their head, your hand catches an odd bump on their neck. Picture this: It’s a Monday morning and you’re helping your young child get dressed. Jennifer Setlur, MD, a pediatric ENT specialist at Mass Eye and Ear, Concord, explains what to do when a mysterious lump appears out of the blue.
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