Pea-sized lump in the left side of the neck: what to know

Neck lumps can involve a lymph node, thyroid tissue, skin, or another structure. A nearby infection in the throat, ear, teeth, or skin can make a lymph node tender or enlarged. A lump that persists, grows, feels firm or fixed, or occurs with voice change or swallowing difficulty deserves clinical assessment. A neck lump is a possible presentation of head and neck cancer, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, or cancer of unknown primary, but the lump itself does not establish any of these diagnoses.

A clinician may feel the lump and examine your mouth, throat, ears, and thyroid. Depending on the findings, assessment may include imaging or a needle sample.

Note when you first noticed the lump, whether it changes in size, and whether it moves under the skin. Record pain, recent infections, dental problems, fever, night sweating, weight change, voice changes, or swallowing symptoms. Arrange a medical appointment if it remains present or you cannot explain it, and avoid repeatedly pressing it because this can irritate the area.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, inability to swallow saliva, rapidly increasing swelling, or severe illness. Arrange prompt assessment for a lump that is enlarging, hard, fixed, or accompanied by persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats.

Ask which structure the lump seems to involve, what features make a lymph node or thyroid cause more likely, whether imaging or a needle sample is needed, and how soon it should be reviewed if it does not change.