Rapid Access Neck Lump Clinic
Rapid Access Neck Lump Clinic
Expert Assessment Within 48 Hours
Worried about a lump in your neck? Get rapid assessment and diagnosis.
- No GP referral needed
- Results within 7 to 10 days
- Central London location
Rapid, Specialist Assessment When It Matters Most
If you have found a lump in your neck, whether it is small and movable or a swelling that has been there for several weeks, it needs proper evaluation.
You may have tried antibiotics that have not helped, or you may still be waiting for a hospital appointment.
You should not have to wait, and in some cases, waiting can be dangerous.
You can even be seen virtually in the first instance, to assess the situation.
I am Chris Nutting, Consultant Clinical Oncologist specialising in head and neck cancer. For more than twenty years I have helped patients obtain rapid, accurate answers about neck lumps and related conditions.
At my One-Stop Neck Lump Clinic, I see most patients within 48 hours. Your face to face assessment may include a nasendoscopy (camera down the nose) and rapid set up of ultrasound/biopsy/CT scan or MRI as needed. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what the lump is likely to be, a diagnostic plan, and if a biopsy is required we can turn around the results in less than a week.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
If a neck mass turns out to be cancer, it can double in size within two to three months.
That does not mean every lump is malignancy (cancer), but it shows why rapid assessment is essential.
By the time many patients reach me through standard pathways, months have often passed since the lump first appeared. During that time, a small, treatable tumour can become more advanced.
Early detection changes outcomes:
- High-grade lymphoma: 86% one-year survival when localised; 67% once spread
- HPV-related throat cancer: 80–90% five-year survival if caught early
- Localised thyroid cancer: 99% five-year survival if caught early
The sooner the diagnosis, the simpler the treatment and the better the prognosis.
The Hidden Rise in HPV-Related Throat Cancer
Around 70% of oropharyngeal (throat) cancers in the UK are now caused by HPV, the same virus responsible for cervical cancer.
These cancers often affect healthy, non-smoking men aged 40 to 60, whose first symptom is a painless neck lump, noticed while shaving or dressing.
If a lump is not red, hot or painful, antibiotics are unlikely to help.
A persistent, painless lump should always be examined by a head and neck specialist.
Causes of Lumps on the Neck
Neck lumps can be due to an enlarged lymph node or, a thyroid nodule in the thyroid gland, a cyst (such as a sebaceous cyst or thyroglossal cyst), and most of these are benign neck lumps.
However, a lymph node swelling can be a sign of Hodgkin lymphoma, salivary gland cancer, mouth cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer (such as HPV cancer).
How Likely Is My Neck Lump to Be Cancer?
Across all age groups, the overall risk that a neck lump is cancerous is relatively low. Most neck lumps in younger people are benign — reactive lymph nodes, cysts, or other non-cancerous conditions.
However, the picture changes dramatically with age.
Once you reach 40 years of age, the statistics become far more concerning. Around 75% of people aged 40 and over who undergo biopsy of a lump in the side of the neck are found to have cancer. This is a sobering statistic that many people — and indeed some healthcare professionals — don’t fully appreciate.
In my clinical experience running this specialist neck lump clinic, approximately one in five patients who present with a neck lump have cancer. This 20% cancer rate is significantly higher than many other “lump clinics.” To put this in perspective: at a one-stop breast clinic, only around 5% of breast lumps turn out to be cancerous. The cancer risk for persistent neck lumps is four times higher than for breast lumps.
The risk is particularly high if:
- Your lump is more than 2cm in size
- You’re aged 35 years or older
- The lump is located on the side of the neck
When these factors are present together, there is a very high probability that the lump is cancerous.
This is why, in clinical practice, any lump in the side of the neck in an adult aged 40 or over must be assumed to be cancer until proven otherwise. This isn’t alarmism — it’s the appropriate clinical approach based on the evidence. It’s also why waiting weeks or months for investigation is inappropriate for this demographic.
If you’re over 40 with a persistent neck lump, you need specialist assessment urgently. The reassurance of a benign diagnosis is invaluable, but if it is cancer, early detection dramatically improves your outcome.
How The Rapid Access Neck Lump Clinic Works
⏱ Fast Access Within 48 Hours
You can contact me directly; no GP referral is required. Most patients are seen within two working days.
👨⚕️ Consultant-Led Expertise
I specialise solely in head and neck conditions, including HPV-related throat cancer, thyroid cancer and lymphoma.
🔬 Comprehensive Same-Day Assessment
Your first appointment includes:
- A detailed consultation and full neck and throat examination
- Flexible nasoendoscopy – a short, comfortable camera test of the throat, tonsils, tongue base and voice box
- Immediate discussion of findings and next steps
🏥 Rapid Imaging and Biopsy Within Days
When needed, I arrange:
- Ultrasound of the neck (often the same or next day)
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy for definitive diagnosis
- CT or MRI scans for more complex cases
- Blood tests for thyroid or infection-related causes
📋 Results Within 7 to 10 Days
You will not be left waiting or chasing results. I review all investigations personally and explain them clearly, within a week.
When to Seek Specialist Review
Book an urgent appointment if you notice:
- A lump lasting more than two to three weeks
- A lump that is growing, firm or fixed
- A painless lump, especially if you are aged 40 to 70
- A lump that has not resolved after antibiotics
Other warning signs
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness (longer than three weeks)
- Pain or difficulty when swallowing
- Ear pain on one side
- Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or fatigue
About 70% of HPV-related throat cancers present with a painless neck lump and no other symptoms.
If you are unsure, get it checked. Sooner is always better.
Your Patient Journey
- 1. Initial Contact – Same Day
Call, email or book online. Appointments are usually offered within 48 hours. - 2. Consultation (20-30 minutes)
Full assessment and nasoendoscopy (£350) - 3. Investigations (1–3 days)
Ultrasound, biopsy or scan arranged promptly. - 3. Results (7 days total)
Clear diagnosis and treatment plan, whether reassurance or referral.
Throughout, you will have direct access to me and my team. No delays, no uncertainty.
Conditions I Commonly Diagnose
- Reactive or enlarged lymph nodes
- Thyroid nodules and goitre
- Salivary gland swellings and cysts
- Lipomas (fatty lumps)
- Lymphoma
- HPV-related throat cancer
- Thyroid and other head and neck malignancies
Fees and Insurance
I am recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, WPA and Cigna. Most insurers allow self-referral.
Self-pay guide:
- Consultation : £350
- Nasendoscopy if required £295 plus hospital fees
- Neck ultrasound: £200–£350
- Biopsy (FNA): £350–£500
- Neck ultrasound + FNA biopsy + laboratory analysis: £800-1200
- CT or MRI scan: £400–£1,500
You will always receive a transparent cost estimate before any investigations take place.
Why Patients Choose Me
- Over 20 years’ consultant experience in head and neck oncology
- Subspecialist expertise in HPV-related and thyroid cancers
- Direct, personal care – no hand-offs or waiting lists
- Multidisciplinary links with leading surgeons, radiologists and pathologists
- Clear communication – I explain results and next steps in plain English
My aim is simple: to identify what is causing your neck lump quickly and accurately, and to guide you through any treatment without delay.
Central London Location and Access
My clinic is easy to reach from across London and the South East.
- Close to major train and Underground stations
- Early morning and evening appointments available
- Private consulting rooms and nearby imaging facilities
- On-site or local parking
Ideal for busy professionals who need efficient, discreet care.
Take Action Today
If you have noticed a neck lump that has not gone away, do not wait and hope it will disappear.
You can be seen within 48 hours, have scans within days and know the results within a week.
Most lumps are benign, but early diagnosis provides peace of mind – and when something serious is found, it allows for effective, timely treatment.
Get clarity this week, not months from now.
rapid access neck lump clinic – ultrasound
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I worry about a lump in my neck?
Not all neck lumps are serious, but they always deserve proper assessment.
Most are caused by benign conditions such as swollen lymph nodes, cysts or lipomas. However, some indicate thyroid cancer, lymphoma or HPV-related throat cancer.
If a lump persists for more than three weeks, feels hard, or does not move freely, it should be examined.
Can antibiotics treat a neck lump?
Usually not. Antibiotics work for bacterial infections that cause painful, red, swollen lymph nodes, but they do not treat viral infections, thyroid nodules, lipomas or cancers.
If antibiotics have not worked, the lump needs specialist investigation rather than another course of treatment.
What does a cancerous neck lump feel like?
Cancerous neck lumps are often hard, painless and fixed to surrounding tissue rather than soft or mobile. They may increase in size slowly over weeks or months.
However, not all cancerous lumps feel the same, and some benign lumps can also feel firm. The only way to know for certain is through imaging and biopsy.
How long should I wait before seeing a specialist?
Any lump lasting more than two to three weeks should be assessed.
Lumps caused by infection usually disappear within one to two weeks. If they persist, it is unlikely to be a simple reactive lymph node.
What are the symptoms of HPV-related throat cancer?
HPV-related throat cancer typically presents as a painless neck lump with few or no throat symptoms.
Other signs may include a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, hoarseness or unexplained weight loss.
Many patients are healthy, non-smokers in their forties to sixties who do not fit the traditional cancer profile.
How is a neck lump diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually involves:
1. Examination and nasoendoscopy to view the throat, tonsils and voice box.
2. Ultrasound of the neck to assess the lump’s structure.
3. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) to collect cells for microscopic analysis.
4. CT or MRI scans if cancer is suspected.
Most patients have a clear diagnosis within 7 to 10 days.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly as a self-pay or insured patient.
Most major insurers, including Bupa and AXA, accept self-referrals for specialist consultations. If your policy requires a referral, my team can confirm this before booking.
How much does a private neck lump consultation cost?
An initial consultation costs £350.
Nasendoscopy medical fees are £295 plus hospital fees
Additional tests such as ultrasound, biopsy or scans are quoted in advance. Most private medical insurance policies cover these investigations and treatments.
