could this be cancer?

[arsenalfan88]

i just noticed around 0.5-1cm wide lump on the outside of my throat,it is not visible and it can only be felt when i harden my neck,it seems pretty firm.the exact position is about two centimeter above my adams apple slightly on the right side.i am only 21,male...i have a history of moderate to occasional smoking and drinking sometimes and i have no history of cancer in my family....i cannot feel any lump on the inside of my throat when i swallow at all...im really scared and i have an appointment with my physician next week...could this be cancer....please help

[angelica1]

Might be a swollen lymph node.  Let's see what your doctor says.

[LivingInHope]

They might feel your thyroid gland, which is in your throat and order an ultrasound of it.  There can be thyroid growths that are non-cancerous.  If it turns out you have a certain size or larger growth on your thyroid, they may want to do a fine needle aspiration (FNA) or biopsy and check with the lab for results with the sample.