When a patient has a neck mass, malignancy is the greatest concern. Although differentiating benign and malignant masses can be difficult, a mass doesn’t automatically mean cancer. Masses in the neck can be caused by other infections or conditions, as well, some of which are listed below.

Cytomegalovirus Infection

A cytomegalovirus infection can develop due to a common herpes virus. The symptoms are wide ranging and can vary from person to person; most people infected with cytomegalovirus have no symptoms. Some symptoms include:

Fever
Night sweats
Feeling ill
Tiredness and Uneasiness
Sore throat
Swollen glands
Joint and muscle pain
Low appetite and weight loss

In people with a weakened immune system, CMV can be a lot more serious and result in disease or death.

Treatment for mild cytomegalovirus infection is usually not treated because it eventually subsides on its own. If infection becomes more threatening, then an antiviral drug may be given.

Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

As one of the most common viruses in the world, the Epstein-Barr virus spreads through saliva and is very commonly known as mononucleosis (mono).

Sometimes, if someone has the EBV infection they do not present with any symptoms; other times, symptoms include, fatigue, fever, inflamed throat, and swollen lymph nodes. But when an EBV infection becomes mononucleosis, symptoms can include:

Extreme fatigue
Fever
Sore throat
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Enlarged spleen
Swollen liver
Rash

Diagnosis is determined through lab tests. Luckily, treatment of this condition is easy to do at home. Treatment includes:

Drinking fluids
Getting plenty of rest
Taking over-the-counter medications for pain and fever

Staphylococcal or Streptococcal Infection

Staphylococci (“staph”) and streptococci (“strep”) are among the most important bacterial pathogens of humans, but both bacterial pathogens can develop into serious infections. Numerous infections that are generally caused by Staphylococcus may be caused by Streptococcus species and vice versa.

Symptoms of infection include:

Body aches
Fever
Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
Painful swallowing
Red/swollen tonsils (sometimes white patches or streaks of pus)
Tiny red spots located on the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate)
Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck
Headache
Rash
Nausea or vomiting, especially in younger children

It is important to see a doctor if any of the symptoms listed above are present. Medical intervention is very necessary to ensure the infection is resolved and doesn’t worsen.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease. This infection usually causes no obvious symptoms in adults who have a healthy immune system. Occasionally, people may have a few weeks or months of mild, flu-like illness such as tender lymph nodes or muscle aches. An infection can occur when someone eats undercooked meat or contaminated foods.

Treatment for Toxoplasmosis is only necessary in those who have an extreme case and symptoms are uncontrollable; otherwise, the immune system can take care of the infection.

Viral Upper Respiratory Infection

Upper Respiratory Infection refers to the parts of the upper respiratory tract most involved in an infection. Other types of URIs are:

Sinusitis
Epiglottis
Bronchitis
Laryngitis

URIs are very common and can sometimes cause swelling in the lymph nodes. Please visit a medical professional if the following symptoms are present:

Fever
Fatigue
Headache
Pain during swallowing
Wheezing

While URIs are not as serious as other conditions that cause a mass in the neck, these types of symptoms should be addressed promptly so diagnosis and treatment can occur.

Cancer

Head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces (like inside the mouth, the nose, and the throat). Head and neck cancers can also begin in the mouth within salivary glands, but this is relatively uncommon.

If you have any concerns about the conditions described here, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment. Accelerate ENT in New Jersey has ENT specialists who can address your needs and concerns.