Can a lump on the neck mean cancer?

Not necessarily: Lumps anywhere are either benign or cancerous. Benign lumps in neck are frequently caused by infections in the throat which are common(colds and coughs due to viruses). But cancer can affect the neck lymph nodes or any other organs like thyroid or inside the mouth, which can show up as an enlarged neck nodes. You need to think cancer when the lump is painless and is continuing to grow for >3-4 wk.