Hey all-
I have a question.

Every since I was in 5th or 6th grade, I've had a bump on my jaw. The lump is located at the very end of my jaw, on the right side. Close to my ear, but not quite on my neck.

When I was 16, I got concerned because it started to hurt so I went to the doctor. He's a very good doctor, he's been my doctor since... well... since I was born!
Well, he felt it and said "It's just a swollen lymph-node. It'll probably stay there, or it could go away. Just come back if it grows rapidly/a lot or becomes very painfull."

And it didn't. I forgot about it, actually.

Today, my fiance, son and I were in the grocery store, and I felt a slight, dull pain. I put my hand on my jaw and my lymph-node was enlarged again. Not too big though. Probably about the side of an eraser on a pencil. It just seemed a little bigger than it was when I was 16, well, that's been awhile so it may just seem big.

I got worried, which is obviously why I'm here! LOL!

A little more info-- I have a sinus infection right now along with what I think is an ear infection (my ear feels plugged and slightly uncomfortable) and I just got over a sore throat.

Also, my dad and my brother both has a swollen lymph-node on their jaws as well.

It just somewhat worried me that it decided to show up after four years. Well, it didn't go completely away-- just not as swollen.
Unless, I never noticed it before when I was sick. Which I don't go feeling around on my jaw when I get sick, LOL!

Also, the lymph-node is smaller now than what it was a few hours ago.

Does anyone else have this? Does anyone have an idea why it is somewhat swollen right now? Do you think it's because I'm not feeling well?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

By the way, the lump is round and smooth. It is tender when I touch it, but isn't a nagging pain. Just like it was when I was 16.
I don't think it's cancerous (I hope not!)-- I went and looked at the symtoms of lymphomas cancer, and I have zero signs besides the swollen node. If any of you guys think it is cancerous, tell me!

Only a biopsy can tell you if it is cancerous. If you have had this lymph node this long, it is probably your anatomical correct size for you and is not swollen or is mildly so. Lymph nodes have to be 2.5 cm or 1 1/2 inches in diameter before doctors become concerned even though there are reports of smaller nodes having cancer in them. I think that if you continue to be concerned after all your known infections are healed, then see the doctor.

Thank you so much!
It's went down even more today along with my sinus infection/ear infection going away.

I didn't know about the 1.5" concern thing... my node has NEVER gotten that big. The biggest it's ever gotten is about the size of a pencil eraser. Sometimes it grows to that size, but it goes back down to it's normal state at about half of a pencil eraser. This is how big it has been for about 12 years.

hi, i have a couple of questions and hope someone has advice for me?

i am a 25 year old male I have some swollen lymph nodes in my groin for 7 weeks now, in sort of a chain, they are not very big can't be more than 1 cm at the biggest. They are not hard but firm, smooth and i think i can move them around, i have been to two general physicians and recently went to a urologist, all stating a little enlarged but not to worry about it. the urologist said there was nothing pathologic about them and that they seem to be a couple of shotty nodes, just in case i requested a ct scan, this came back negetive, with no enlargements. i guess im looking for some insurance from other people who have experienced these things and know about the fears, am i being overeactive. One other question, what is considered moveable by means of lymph nodes because the groin is a pretty tight area

This is somewhat of an anatomy lesson, but lymph nodes normally follow a chain of groupings along side the veins and arteries in major areas of the body. There are normally about 600 of them in a mature adult body. Some can be felt, others are too deeply imbedded in the body's tissues. If the nodes are normally moveable, then nothing is wrong with them usually if they move around. If they suddenly start to swell and then become unmoveable, sometimes this indicates cancerous tumor growth that is causing new blood vessels to form that provide nutrition to the tumor, NOT a good thing. So unless you are pretty good at anatomy and physiology, and objective about your own body, it really is a good thing to listen to your doctor. Although, sometimes, doctors can be wrong, simply because one person out of thousands, will be the exception to the rules. But, for the most part, the probability of having a disease like lymphoma is not high unless you have a long history of suppressed immune system from previous radiation or chemotherapy, or have an immune system disease that puts you at higher risk.

thank you for your reply, i was hoping u would be the one to answer my question because it seems like u know what u are talking about, so i will ask u one more thing and than i will try and move on and let this thing go. what else makes lymph nodes swell and not go back quickly besides and if these lymph nodes never go away, say 1 year without developing any further is it safe to say it is a benign cause

thank you for your reply, i was hoping u would be the one to answer my question because it seems like u know what u are talking about, so i will ask u one more thing and than i will try and move on and let this thing go. what else makes lymph nodes swell and not go back quickly besides and if these lymph nodes never go away, say 1 year without developing any further is it safe to say it is a benign cause
That is not easy to answer. There are many illnesses that can effect the lymph nodes, and none of the illnesses have lasting problems that need treatment. Cat Scatch fever which is a bacterial infection can cause all kinds of swelling etc, and still of course not be a big deal, compared to cancer. But, the number one thing to remember is that a swelling lymph node does NOT indicate how serious an illness is. Also one can be seriously ill without having swollen nodes. So, if you are feeling ill get it checked out. If you are still concerned in one year, get it checked out. There is no way for any one to tell you by internet whether or not you are ill. But, if you do not feel ill, relax and let it go for a while.

first i would like to thankyou for taking the time to give me some advice and help me put this at ease, i know i should trust three doctors because it is doubtful they would let me walk out of there office if they thought something is wrong with me, i am 25, no one on either side of my family has cancer or had at least immediate and truthfully i haven't even had a cold in like two years, so i will try to let it go but it is tough knowing u have something in your body that wasn't there before, maybe it is the changes of life. One more thing is it possible for lymph nodes to be effected by sciatic nerve promblems or may a muscle pinching the vessel, i ask this becuase the lymph nodes popped up after i hurt my leg/back