I'm trying not to freak out, but I have a question.


Approximately five days ago, I noticed that one side of my neck, underneath the jaw bone, was very sore. Whenever I felt the area with my finger or tilted my head downward, I felt a small buldge protruding from the left side of my neck. Out of anxiety, I went to the er (it was a weekend, and my doctor's office was closed), and they said it could be a swollen lymph node, meaning it could be anything from nothing to a bacterial infection to cancer. I'm scheduling an appointment with my doctor asap.


My question is: I have no other symptoms besides the buldge and its accompanying pain. No sore throat, no cold, no fever, nothing. Because I am (unfortunately) a smoker, I fear it is some sort of cancer. So what could it be? Apart from the buldge and its occasional pain, I feel fine. And that's what worries me. The lymph glands, I believe, usually react when they're fighting something. But since I feel fine, there may be a larger issue at hand. Or am I paranoid?


This is my first time using this forum,If i'm using this message board correctly, I should be notified if someone replies.


At this point, i'm just looking for the facts of what a swollen lymph gland, under these circumstances, may mean (if that's even what I have), and what the causes could be. And, I must admit, i'm wondering what the possibility is of this being cancerous or serious.


Thank you all for your time.