Please answer this (only if you're a doctor/know about this)...??!
Question: 2 weeks ago i noticed a lump-type thing on the BACK of my NECK, right below the hairline, directly to the RIGHT of my spine/neck bone. It feels soft-ish, like cartilage kind of, and if i press it hard, it feels sore. Otherwise, no pain or irritation. It's the size of a quarter, and i haven't had any recent injuries or stress or anything. i'm 14 years old, and trying not to be paranoid about it. Does anyone know what it might be? It doesn't move when i touch it. could it possibly be cancer? because i'm too young to die!!! and please don't just tell me "go see a doctor" with no explanation because that annoys me...
oh, and the lump hasn't grown since then. sometimes it shrinks for a bit, but then it goes back to the bottle-cap size.
thanks!!
Answers: 2 weeks ago i noticed a lump-type thing on the BACK of my NECK, right below the hairline, directly to the RIGHT of my spine/neck bone. It feels soft-ish, like cartilage kind of, and if i press it hard, it feels sore. Otherwise, no pain or irritation. It's the size of a quarter, and i haven't had any recent injuries or stress or anything. i'm 14 years old, and trying not to be paranoid about it. Does anyone know what it might be? It doesn't move when i touch it. could it possibly be cancer? because i'm too young to die!!! and please don't just tell me "go see a doctor" with no explanation because that annoys me...
oh, and the lump hasn't grown since then. sometimes it shrinks for a bit, but then it goes back to the bottle-cap size.
thanks!!
It could be a swollen lymph node, it could be a cyst, a tumor or an infected hair follicle or a million other things.
The only way to diagnose it is for a doctor/np to see it.
Married to a doctor for over 20 years. You can't be diagnosed without being seen. It could be anything. How about seeing your school nurse? Sudden lumps need to be checked out.
Could be a swollen lymph node... In that case it isn't a big deal. However, if it gets bigger, it could be cancerous. Regardless, I'd have it checked by a doctor.
My grandfather had a calcium deposit on the back of his neck. I wonder if that's what you have, too. They start out soft, then harden over time. I don't think that would shrink, though. A swollen lymph node would be another, more likely possibility.
Good luck at the doctor's office.