I have had a lump (oblong shaped) on the right side of the back of my neck for the last 3 years that seems to be getting somewhat bigger. It's painless but will sometimes start aching around the time of my period which gives me migraines. The lump seems to end right at my spine. My next door neighboor seems to think it's a muscle, swollen because of a pinched nerve. In a way I kind of think so too because I did pull a muscle real bad one day while brushing my long hair but if that's the case why would it be getting bigger over time? I really started worrying a few days ago when I noticed another lump (a round one) on the other side of my spine while washing my hair. Does anyone know what this might be? I'm scared to death!

Bekki

I have had such lumps on the back of my neck. One large one was removed by a doctor. It was a lipoma - a benign fatty cyst. I still have one smaller one on my neck and a couple of others ones on thigh and abdomen. I've had them for years. I am also a Hodgkin survivor - 3 years now. When the doctors examine me they never look on the back of the neck. I take that to mean there are no lymph nodes there. They check under the jaw, down the neck, over the shoulder, and under the arm. I was a stage II-A. So put your mind at ease and have a doctor look at them anyway. Just so I am clear - the lipoma has nothing to do with lymphoma. Having a limpoma doesn't cause lymphoma.

[This message has been edited by mikenputter (edited 08-23-2003).]