When should you suspect cancer due to lumps felt in the neck, chest, or groin?

Lumps on the body can be broadly classified into three categories: ▲lymph node enlargement ▲benign tumors ▲malignant tumors. Lymph node enlargement refers to the swelling of lymph nodes, which are part of the body's immune system and are connected by vessels through which lymph fluid that kills bacteria flows. Benign tumors are masses formed by excessive proliferation of fat, nerve cells, and other tissues. Malignant tumors refer to cancer.

Lymphadenopathy

Lymph node enlargement commonly occurs in the neck because lymph nodes are concentrated there. It particularly occurs in the area from behind the ear down to the collarbone. Most cases disappear within 1 to 2 months as the body's immune system improves. If what was thought to be lymph node enlargement persists for more than 1 to 2 months and becomes hard like a stone, metastatic cancer should be suspected. When a lump is felt near the center front of the neck, it may not be lymph node enlargement. Usually, it is either a benign tumor or thyroid cancer. However, tumors in the thyroid are an exception, as benign tumors can grow faster and larger than malignant ones. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish whether it is a benign or malignant tumor based solely on symptoms. Diagnosis should be confirmed through neck ultrasound or tissue biopsy.

Benign tumor

Benign tumors usually grow more slowly than malignant tumors (cancer), do not grow beyond a certain size, and do not invade other tissues. Unlike cancer, which is divided into stages 1 to 4 based on progression, benign tumors are not staged. Benign tumors are common in everyone. They can grow in various parts of the body, including organs, muscles, bones, nerves, and lymph nodes.

Most benign tumors do not affect health, so treatment is not always necessary. In particular, fibroadenomas, which are benign tumors that occur in the breast, are quite common, affecting 20-30% of women. They tend to develop in women in their 20s and 30s, when hormone secretion is high. If they continue to grow, cancer may be suspected, but if the lump does not enlarge within six months or maintains its size for two years, it is likely a benign tumor. Additionally, on the abdomen, back, arms, and legs, benign tumors such as lipomas, fibromas, and neuromas are commonly found.

Of course, some benign tumors also require removal. Depending on the type and shape of the organ where the benign tumor occurs, there is a possibility that cancer may be hidden or that it could transform into cancer. When it develops in hormone-secreting organs or becomes large enough to press on surrounding tissues, removal is necessary. This is also true when found in the colon. Since the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for benign tumors are not clear-cut, if a benign tumor with ambiguous characteristics develops, it must be thoroughly examined at a major hospital.

Malignant tumor

Malignant tumors grow noticeably quickly. They invade surrounding tissues well, infiltrate blood vessels or lymphatic vessels, and metastasize throughout the body. If the size increases rapidly enough to be felt by hand, cancer should be suspected. Cancer typically doubles in size within 4 to 8 months, and in some cases, it can quadruple in just one month. Borderline tumors, which have characteristics of both benign and malignant tumors and are similar to pre-cancerous or early cancer stages, should be removed immediately for safety.