How common is it that a swollen lymph node in the back of the neck is actually related to lymphoma or other cancers? Does anyone have any statistics or anything? Thanks.

I have a swollen lymphnode in the right side of the back of my neck about a half of an inch below the hairline. It has been there for a few months. It changes in size, occasionally getting smaller, then getting a little bigger, but never exceeding a certain point in either direction. I think that it is possible that I have some sort of infection on my scalp as I continuously have what feels like infected follicles on my head. I also constantly have what feels like a low-grade ear infection, where my ear canal is painful when I press on my ear. Could these cause the swollen lymph node? What are the chances? Thanks.

Also...is there any possibility that cigarette smoke can cause lymph nodes to swell? I do not smoke, but I'm around cigarette smoke quite often. Could there be any relationship between the two?

How common is it that a swollen lymph node in the back of the neck is actually related to lymphoma or other cancers? Does anyone have any statistics or anything? Thanks.

I have a swollen lymphnode in the right side of the back of my neck about a half of an inch below the hairline. It has been there for a few months. It changes in size, occasionally getting smaller, then getting a little bigger, but never exceeding a certain point in either direction. I think that it is possible that I have some sort of infection on my scalp as I continuously have what feels like infected follicles on my head. I also constantly have what feels like a low-grade ear infection, where my ear canal is painful when I press on my ear. Could these cause the swollen lymph node? What are the chances? Thanks.
I do not have any reliable book statistics, but the most common site for lymph nodes to appear that are associated with Cancer, are just above the collar bone and in the Gastrointestinal area, which have to be detected by CAT scan or other imagining equipment. The other likely areas are the groin area(where the thigh meets the pelvis).
There are less common cases of cancer in the areas around the saliva glands and of course not all cancer that appears in the lymph nodes is lymphoma. There are many cancers that simply use the lymph nodes to spread. To discuss percentages on a discussion board on the internet is kind of like trying to feel how cold the artic air is by internet. There just is not enough room or time to discuss all the possibilities. Concerns over lymphnodes have to be discussed in person with a doctor.