Friday, November 6, 2009

Small lump on neck - what type of doctor do I see?

Two years ago I had (what I thought was) a small whitehead on my neck (middle of my neck, just to the left of the Adam's Apple). I left it alone but noticed that as the "whitehead" was healing, I started getting a lump underneath the skin. This lump has gradually gotten bigger and is now about the size of a small pea. It's completely under the skin, I don't see a pore for possible extraction, and it's "connected" to something underneath the skin because I can't stretch or pull the skin away from the lump and the lump doesn't move. I saw a dermatologist about six months ago and he told me it was nothing...yet now it's getting bigger and it's actually protruding and noticable on my neck. It's not painful...it's just ugly and annoying when I touch my neck. I'm wondering what kind of doctor should I see about this? I'm not sure if a dermatologist is the right professional since the lump is "connected" and underneath the skin?
Small lump on neck - what type of doctor do I see?
A primary care physician. Go see your family doctor. If you are not currently assigned to a primary care physician, just make a trip to your local hospital and visit the "minor emergency" department. You may have to wait a little while in the lounge area, but you should be able to have it examined. Growths under or on or protruding from the skin can be any of many things, so a specialist isn't necessarily what you need to seek out, as you don't know what it is. A dermatologist should have been able to identify that it is or isn't an epidermic growth, which it sounds like he did. But the doctor should have atleast given you an idea of what it may possibly be, or should have referred you to a doctor for further examination to get some answers, as i think anyone would be concerned. Just got to your local hospital and have it looked at, a specialist isn't necessary. Good luck!
Small lump on neck - what type of doctor do I see?
dermatologist
Reply:Honestly I think you should see a Cancer Doctor. Lumps or growths are not anything to mess around with.
Reply:Start with a general practitioner - make sure they know it's something you'd like to pursue, not just ignore and they can give you an idea of what it is and probably send you in the right direction. A lot of specialists won't see you without a referral anyways so it's a good place to start. Good luck! Be persistant - write your questions down and take your list with you!
Reply:Anything on the head or neck should be seen by an ENT (ear, nose and throat doc, or "otolaryngologist"). They are the specialists who take care of head and neck problems, including cancer.


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