What Should I Do If I Feel a Lump Inside My Neck?

When a lump is felt inside the neck, it is essential to take it seriously as it could be a sign of lymphoma, a type of malignant tumor with a relatively high incidence rate. Besides the lump, lymphoma can also manifest with symptoms such as fever, itching, night sweats, and weight loss. In case of similar symptoms, it is crucial to promptly visit a reputable hospital for diagnosis. If lymphoma is confirmed, early intervention and treatment are vital.

A lump felt inside the neck could potentially indicate lymphoma, also known as lymph cancer, a malignant tumor that originates in the lymph nodes or other lymphatic tissues. Lymphoma ranks tenth among the top ten malignancies in China. Clinically, lymphoma is categorized into two major types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hodgkin's lymphoma is less common and its incidence rate is stable, whereas non-Hodgkin's lymphoma accounts for over 90% of the total cases in China and comprises various subtypes. The causes of lymphoma remain unclear, but the major contributing factors are well-established, including immune deficiencies, ionizing radiation, chemical substances, viral infections, and genetic predispositions. Lymphoma is feared not only because it is a malignant tumor but also due to its ability to invade the lymphatic system, a crucial defense mechanism that fights pathogens throughout the body.

Due to the high heterogeneity of lymphoma, treatment outcomes vary significantly depending on the pathological type and stage of the disease. While specific treatment plans should be tailored to each patient's condition, the following are the primary treatment options for lymphoma: 1. Radiotherapy: Early-stage lymphomas of certain types can be treated with radiotherapy alone. It can also be used as consolidation therapy after chemotherapy or as adjunctive therapy during transplantation. 2. Chemotherapy: Combination chemotherapy is commonly used for lymphoma treatment, often combined with targeted therapies and biological agents. Recent improvements in chemotherapy protocols have significantly increased survival rates for many types of lymphoma. 3. Bone marrow transplantation: For patients under 60 years old who can tolerate high-dose chemotherapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be considered. Younger patients with recurrent or bone marrow involvement may also be candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 4. Surgical intervention: Surgery is generally limited to biopsy or the management of complications. In cases of splenic hyperfunction without contraindications, splenectomy may be performed to improve hematological parameters and facilitate future chemotherapy.