what could this be?

[roonaldo]

quiet sometime ago, i had a lump appear just below my jaw line. The best i can describe is that it is n my neck but, it is no acctually attached, if you know what i mean, i can get my fingers underneath it. This is really hard for me to explain as i am only 17 therefore am quiet nervous,

My parents say, as does my dentist, it is very probably a cyst (not sure if ive spelt that right)

i have had it for a few years now. Should i get it removed?

by the way it has never ever increased in size.

thanks

[roonaldo]

it is strange you should say that about thin people, because i am naturally thin. something i hate about my self but hey i cant help it. Infact im merly 8 and a half stone.
thanks for replying by the way you have helped alot

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  That lump you described can be a lymph node, which is normally found in that area, and which may be palpable in thin people.  Neck nodes may also become enlarged and prominent due to a nearby infection or inflammation (example: recurrent sore throat, a chronic ear infection, or tooth decay).  Another possibility is that the lump may be a thyroglossal duct cyst.  This cyst usually appears in the middle of the neck above the thyroid cartilage (adam's apple).  It's a remnant of a canal through which the thyroid gland descended during the development of the fetus.  This canal usually closes completely by the time the baby is fully developed, but for some people, a part of the canal persists as a cyst.  It usually doesn't cause any symptoms, but it can get infected and cause pain and swelling.  If your lump is a thyroglossal duct cyst, frequent manipulation may eventually lead to inflammation/ infection, so it may be wise for you to stop doing this.

[roonaldo]

by the way, i have developed a terrible habit of continuosly 'playing' with the lump like messing with, could this be contributing to the current size of it?