Pea size nodule behind my jaw bone

Question

I am a healthy 29 yr old female. I have been a vegitarian for one and a half years. I had my tonsils taken out in November of 2008. The reason I had them removed were due to "tonsil stones" that caused my tonsil to be enlongated and enlarged. About 5 months ago I noticed a little smaller than a pea (I would actually have to feel around for it) beside my jaw bone under my ear lobe. Now it is about 1cm maybe a little smaller but deffinatly bigger than it was 5 months ago. I have no pain associated with it and no sxs of infection or illness. I feel very healthy and well. I do not have any issue with my salvary system AEB no excessive mouth watering or pain when i think or eat lemons and salty things. I do not have ANY family history of cancer on either side of my family. I have a doctors appt with my ENT but it's not for another week. I'm just a little worried>>> I do understand I can not find the diagnosis here but maybe someone can tell me if possiblity it can be related to my tonsil stones or what??????
Thanks so much for any info that is given to me. I just really want some comfort or to know the possibility is there for something more serious. Either way just some knowlege of possibilities! :)

This discussion is related to Lump under skin on ear/jawbone-What could it be?.

swardell23 · Answer

Hello! If there are no other syptoms you probably have nothing to worry about. Just by what you have written it sounds to me like an epidemal cyst, commonly called sabaceous cysts. I had on my side a few years ago. I know people that have them and have never had anything done with them and are just fine and healthly. My became infected because it sat just under the band for my bra and I keep rubbing it open. I went in to have it looked and the doctor poked it with a small needle and it came right out no problem and no problems since.

KMathurMD · Answer

Hi 
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Yes, it could be a lymph node. You may not have been sick but local infections like dandruff or a dermatitis too can cause a lymph node to swell. It could also be a post inflammation of tonsil surgery causing this. Another possibility is that it a cyst or a neurofibroma (localized harmless swelling in of nerve and connective tissue). All these are harmless swellings. However since there is an increase in size, it is better to get it investigated. It may not be cancer but definitely there is an inflammation may be caries in tooth or something like that. 
Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

money422 · Answer

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