On the human body, the neck region contains a large number of muscles, blood vessels, nerves, the thyroid gland, and many important structures of the body.
A study in the International Journal of Obesity indicates that people with thick necks are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome compared to normal individuals.
Researchers believe that the color and elasticity of the neck can be used as a basis for assessing health. When there are health issues, the neck may exhibit some abnormal symptoms.
Below are 4 abnormal symptoms in the neck that could be early warning signs of cancer:
1. Presence of a lump in the neck
The appearance of abnormal lumps in the neck may be related to benign conditions such as lipomas, hemangiomas, or thyroid nodules. Alternatively, it could be related to malignant tumors such as thyroid cancer, lymphoma, or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.
2. Appearance of suspicious moles
If an abnormal black mole appears on the neck, or if an existing mole becomes larger or more numerous in a short period with irregular shapes and uneven colors, you need to be highly cautious of malignant tumors.
3. Darkened skin
Abnormally darkened skin on the neck is likely due to acanthosis nigricans, which causes the skin to thicken and darken. There are many causes of this condition, such as endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, or it may be related to malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.
4. Spider nevus appearing on the neck
Spider nevus is formed due to the dilation of small arterial ends on the skin. It has a bulging center with a surrounding ring of expanded capillaries that disappear when pressed by external force. This appearance is mainly related to abnormal liver function or may be due to liver invasion by cancer.
