Differential Diagnosis for a 30-year-old Male with an Eraser-Sized Bump on the Neck
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Lipoma: A benign tumor composed of fat tissue, which is common in adults and can present as a soft, movable lump under the skin, consistent with the description of an eraser-sized bump.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Cyst (e.g., sebaceous or epidermoid): These are benign, fluid-filled sacs that can form under the skin and may appear as a lump, similar to the one described.
- Lymphadenopathy (reactive or infectious): Enlarged lymph nodes can present as bumps on the neck, often due to the body's response to infection or inflammation.
- Dermatofibroma: A benign skin growth that can appear as a firm, round bump, often resulting from minor injury, which might fit the description given.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)
- Metastatic cancer (e.g., from thyroid, lung, or other primary sites): Although less common, a lump on the neck can be a sign of metastasis from a primary cancer, which would have significant implications for treatment and prognosis.
- Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can present with lymphadenopathy, which might initially appear as a lump on the neck.
- Thyroid nodule or cancer: Abnormal growths on the thyroid gland can sometimes be felt as lumps on the neck and require urgent evaluation due to the potential for malignancy.
- Rare diagnoses
- Branchial cleft cyst: A congenital anomaly that can present as a lump along the side of the neck, often becoming apparent in young adulthood.
- Carotid body tumor: A rare, usually benign tumor located at the bifurcation of the carotid artery, which can present as a neck mass.
- Neurofibroma: A benign tumor of the nerve tissue, which can occur anywhere, including the neck, and is more common in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1.