Most lumps in the neck (benjolan di leher) are swollen lymph glands (kelenjar bengkak) caused by a common infection such as a cold, sore throat or tooth infection, and they usually go down within 1 to 2 weeks. Other causes include a swollen thyroid, a salivary gland or a harmless skin cyst. See a doctor if a lump keeps growing, lasts more than 2 weeks, feels hard or fixed, or comes with night sweats, fever or weight loss. In Malaysia, nasopharyngeal cancer is one of the less common but important causes to rule out. This guide explains the causes, warning signs, home care and what happens at the clinic.
Benjolan di leher: is it dangerous?
A neck lump is any lump, bump or swelling in the neck. MedlinePlus says the most common neck lumps are enlarged lymph nodes, and that most lumps in adults are not cancer. The NHS says swollen glands are usually a sign that the body is fighting an infection, and that swollen glands caused by an infection usually get better by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks.
However, a neck lump should not be ignored:
- the NHS advises seeing a doctor if a swelling on the side of the neck does not go down within 2 weeks;
- MedlinePlus advises having neck lumps checked by a health professional, and notes that the chance of a lump being cancer increases with age, particularly in people who smoke or drink a lot of alcohol.
Apa itu kelenjar limfa (lymph glands)?
Lymph glands, also called lymph nodes (kelenjar limfa), are part of the immune system. MedlinePlus explains that they help the body recognise and fight germs and infections. They are found throughout the body, and you can often feel them in the:
- neck, including down both sides and the back of the neck;
- area under the jaw and chin;
- area behind the ears and the back of the head;
- armpits and groin.
The NHS says glands swell near an infection to help the body fight it. Swollen glands from an infection often feel like tender, painful lumps, and sometimes only one side swells. The medical name for swollen lymph nodes is lymphadenopathy.
Where is the lump? Common causes by location
Where the lump is can give a clue to the cause, but do not self-diagnose. According to the NHS and MedlinePlus:
| Where | Possible cause | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Side of the neck, under the jaw or behind the ear | Swollen lymph glands | Usually from a nearby infection; often tender. Rarely, lymphoma or another cancer |
| Front of the neck | Goitre (swollen thyroid) or a thyroid lump | Can be due to thyroid disease or, less often, thyroid cancer |
| Under the jaw | Swollen salivary gland | Can be caused by infection, mumps (beguk), a stone in the saliva duct or a salivary gland tumour |
| In or just under the skin | Skin cyst or lipoma | A smooth lump under the skin, or a soft, squashy lump that moves |
| In the neck muscles | Muscle injury or spasm (torticollis) | MedlinePlus says these lumps are often at the front of the neck |
| Just above or below the collarbone | Swollen lymph glands | The NHS advises seeing a doctor about glands in this area |
Our guide to tiroid explains goitre and thyroid lumps in more detail.
Kelenjar bengkak sebab jangkitan (infections)
Infections are the most common cause of swollen lymph glands (MedlinePlus). Common examples include:
- colds, flu and throat infections, including tonsillitis (see our guides to selsema and sakit tekak);
- ear infections;
- tooth and gum problems, such as a tooth abscess or swollen gums (see sakit gigi and gusi bengkak);
- mouth sores (see ulser mulut);
- glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis), a viral infection;
- skin infections;
- tuberculosis (TB), which can spread from the lungs to the glands (see our guide to tibi);
- sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
MedlinePlus also lists rheumatoid arthritis and some medicines, such as the seizure medicine phenytoin, as possible causes of swollen glands.
When an infection is the cause, you may also have other symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough or high temperature (NHS). A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is caused by bacteria; the NHS notes that antibiotics do not work on viral infections.
Bila benjolan di leher berbahaya? Warning signs
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have swollen glands and:
- they are getting bigger, or have not gone down within 1 week;
- they feel hard or do not move when you press them;
- you have night sweats or a very high temperature;
- you have no other signs of illness or infection;
- they are just above or below your collarbone.
MedlinePlus adds:
- glands that are red and tender, or feel hard, irregular or fixed in place;
- fever, night sweats or weight loss you cannot explain;
- any lymph node in a child that is larger than 1 cm across.
MedlinePlus notes that swollen lymph nodes that appear suddenly and are painful are usually due to injury or infection, while slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumour.
Get urgent help if you have a swelling in your neck and are finding it very difficult to swallow or breathe (NHS).
Cancers that can cause a lump in the neck
The NHS says swollen glands are only rarely caused by something serious. Cancers that can cause a lump in the neck include:
- Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system. The NHS lists a swelling on the side of the neck, armpit or groin that does not go down as a possible sign of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Leukaemia, a cancer of the blood (see our guide to leukemia (kanser darah)).
- Thyroid cancer. MedlinePlus says most thyroid cancers grow very slowly and are often cured with surgery.
- Cancer that has spread from nearby, for example from the mouth, throat or nose. MedlinePlus explains that a nearby lymph node is often the first place a cancer spreads.
Nasopharyngeal cancer (kanser nasofarinks) in Malaysia: this cancer starts in the area that connects the back of the nose to the back of the mouth. It is rare in many countries, but GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates for Malaysia from the International Agency for Research on Cancer list 2,151 new cases a year, making it the 5th most common cancer in Malaysian men. According to the NHS:
- a lump in the neck that does not go away after 3 weeks can be a sign;
- other signs include hearing loss or ringing in one ear (see our guide to telinga berdesing), a blocked or stuffy nose on one side, nosebleeds (see hidung berdarah), headaches, double vision, numbness in the lower face, problems swallowing, a hoarse voice and weight loss without trying;
- risk is higher in people of southern Chinese descent, with a diet very high in salt-cured meat and fish, after infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, and when a parent, brother or sister has had it;
- about 3 times as many men as women are affected, and the average age at diagnosis is about 50.
Many people with nasopharyngeal cancer have no symptoms until it is advanced, and its symptoms are similar to less serious conditions (NHS). This is one reason why a neck lump that does not go away should be checked rather than left alone.
Petua hilangkan bengkak kelenjar: what helps at home
Many people search for "petua hilangkan bengkak kelenjar di leher". If your glands are swollen because of a minor infection, such as a cold or sore throat, the NHS suggests you can ease the symptoms by:
- resting;
- drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration;
- taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Do not give aspirin to children under 16.
MedlinePlus says the soreness usually goes away within a couple of days without treatment, although the gland may take several weeks to return to its normal size.
Home care only helps glands that are swollen because of a minor infection. It will not treat other causes, so do not keep trying home remedies for a lump that is getting bigger, lasts more than 2 weeks, feels hard or comes with the warning signs above. See a doctor instead.
What happens when you see a doctor
A doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your neck. MedlinePlus says you may be asked:
- when the lump started and whether it came on suddenly;
- whether it is painful when pressed, hard or soft, and whether it has been growing, and over how long;
- whether you have other symptoms, such as a rash or difficulty breathing.
Depending on what the doctor finds, tests may include (MedlinePlus, NHS):
| Test | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Blood tests | Including a full blood count, to look for infection, blood disorders and how the liver and kidneys are working |
| Ultrasound scan | To look at the lump, lymph nodes or thyroid in more detail |
| Biopsy | A very small sample of the lump or lymph node is taken and tested |
| CT scan or chest X-ray | To look at lymph nodes and other areas in more detail |
| Nasendoscopy | A thin, flexible camera passed through the nose to look at the back of the nose and throat, if nasopharyngeal cancer is a concern |
| Thyroid tests | An ultrasound, a radioactive thyroid scan or a thyroid biopsy if the lump may be in the thyroid |
Treatment depends on the cause. For example, a bacterial infection may need antibiotics, a goitre may need medicine or surgery, and a non-cancerous cyst may be removed (MedlinePlus).
Where to go in Malaysia: start at a klinik kesihatan or a GP. If needed, they can refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic, a surgical clinic or another specialist at a government hospital, or to a private specialist.
Benjolan di leher kanak-kanak (children)
Children often get swollen glands with colds and sore throats. MedlinePlus says that in children, most neck lumps are caused by infections that can be treated, and treatment should start quickly to prevent complications.
- A lymph node in a child is considered enlarged if it is more than 1 cm across, and any node this size should be checked by a doctor (MedlinePlus).
- Mumps (beguk) can cause swelling under the jaw from the salivary glands (MedlinePlus).
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed for a child's pain or fever, and never give aspirin to children under 16 (NHS). Our guide to demam explains how to care for a child with a fever.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa punca benjolan di leher (what causes a lump in the neck)?
The most common cause is swollen lymph glands (kelenjar limfa) reacting to an infection such as a cold, sore throat, tonsillitis, an ear infection or a tooth or gum infection. Other causes include a swollen thyroid (goitre) at the front of the neck, a swollen salivary gland under the jaw, and skin cysts or fatty lumps (lipomas). Rarely, a neck lump is caused by cancer, such as lymphoma, leukaemia or nasopharyngeal cancer.
Bila benjolan di leher berbahaya (when is a neck lump serious)?
See a doctor if a lump is getting bigger or has not gone down after 1 to 2 weeks, feels hard or does not move when you press it, sits just above or below the collarbone, or comes with night sweats, a very high temperature or weight loss without trying, or with no other sign of infection. Get urgent help if you have a swelling in the neck and find it very hard to swallow or breathe.
Berapa lama kelenjar bengkak akan surut (how long do swollen glands last)?
The NHS says swollen glands caused by an infection usually get better by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks. MedlinePlus notes that soreness usually goes within a couple of days, but the gland may take several weeks to return to its normal size. If a gland is getting bigger or has not gone down after 1 to 2 weeks, see a doctor.
Petua hilangkan bengkak kelenjar di leher (how to ease swollen glands at home)?
If swollen glands are caused by a minor infection such as a cold, the NHS suggests resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain. Do not give aspirin to children under 16. Home care only helps glands swollen by a minor infection; a lump that lasts more than 2 weeks, keeps growing or feels hard needs to be checked by a doctor.
Benjolan di leher tidak sakit: is a painless lump more worrying?
Not always, but it should be checked. MedlinePlus says lymph nodes that swell suddenly and are painful are usually due to infection or injury, while slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumour. Most neck lumps in adults are not cancer, but a painless lump that stays or grows should be seen by a doctor.
Benjolan di leher depan: what is a lump at the front of the neck?
A lump or swelling at the front of the neck is often the thyroid gland. A swollen thyroid is called a goitre (tiroid bengkak), and the thyroid can also develop one or more lumps (nodules). MedlinePlus says most thyroid cancers grow very slowly and are often cured with surgery. A doctor may arrange an ultrasound scan and other tests.
Is a neck lump a sign of nasopharyngeal cancer (kanser nasofarinks)?
Usually not, but nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in Malaysia than in countries such as the UK, and a neck lump that does not go away after 3 weeks can be one of its signs. Other signs include a blocked nose on one side, nosebleeds, hearing loss or ringing in one ear, headaches and double vision. Risk is higher in people of southern Chinese descent and with a family history. See a doctor if you have these symptoms.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
