Expert: David Olson, MD - 7/11/2009

Question
I am a nurse and noticed hugh hard knots on the side and
back of my 5 year old nephews neck, he does suffer from
allergies and thought it was probably that, but I have never seen it that bad before in my 15 years as a nurse
His parents has not taken him to a physician yet, does this
sound more serious, possible cancer? It was weird you could really see it when he turned his head and they were
not under his ears.  

Answer
Hi, Shannon,

Any large hard knots on the neck should be looked at by the doctor.

That being said, the chance of this being cancer is very small.  This is probably benign reactive nodes, seen more often in kids with frequent infections of any type and especially with allergies.

Good luck, Dr. Olson