What should you know about a pea-sized lump in the neck above the collarbone?

The area above the collarbone contains lymph nodes and nearby soft tissues. A node can enlarge in response to infection or inflammation, while a cyst or other benign tissue change can create a lump. Lymphoma, head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, or cancer of unknown primary may also present with a neck lump. That relationship does not mean the lump is cancer; examination is needed to identify the cause. See [Lymphoma](/conditions/lymphoma/) and [Cancer of Unknown Primary](/conditions/cancer-of-unknown-primary/) for background.

Record which side it is on, when it appeared, whether it is increasing, and whether it feels mobile or fixed. Mention recent infections, skin changes, cough, persistent hoarseness, swallowing trouble, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight change.

Contact a clinician for a new lump above the collarbone, especially if it persists, enlarges, feels hard or fixed, or has no clear explanation. The assessment may include examination of the neck, throat, chest, skin, thyroid, and other lymph-node regions. An ultrasound, other imaging, blood tests, or a needle sample may be considered according to the findings.

Do not massage, squeeze, or repeatedly measure the lump. Bring a list of medicines and recent illnesses. If testing identifies a thyroid cause, [Thyroid Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/thyroidectomy/) is one treatment topic your specialist may explain when relevant.

Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow, rapidly worsening swelling, or severe symptoms. Arrange prompt review for a persistent or enlarging lump, a hard or immobile lump, persistent hoarseness, night sweats, fever without a clear cause, or unexplained weight change. These features are reasons to investigate, not proof of a particular diagnosis.

Ask which lymph-node or tissue area is involved, what nearby conditions could cause the swelling, and which examination or scan is most useful. Ask whether sampling is needed, how quickly results will be available, what changes should trigger urgent contact, and what follow-up will happen if the lump remains unchanged.