A lump on the side of the neck could be a swollen lymph node caused by a bacterial or viral infection or a benign (non-cancerous) growth like a cyst, lipoma, or goiter. Swollen, infected salivary glands may also appear as lumps on the neck. On rare occasions, certain head and neck cancers can cause a lump along the neck or jawline.

A lump on your neck could be anything from a minor infection to a serious condition. Most moveable lumps aren’t serious. In general, if the lump is soft and goes away on its own, it’s probably nothing to worry about. A neck lump that persists, grows, or hurts could be a sign of infection or other illness.

A lump on the side of the neck is usually a sign of an inflamed lymph node, which can happen if your body is fighting an infection. A palpable lump can also be a sign of a thyroid nodule or a knot in the neck. Lumps that are felt on the neck can be painless or they can cause discomfort.