Hi everyone. 

I’m aware this could easily just be me worrying myself but I’ve had recent cancer diagnosis’s in family friends and I’ve become very paranoid. I’m 18 and male.

I’ve had a fairly nasty cold for the past few days and just been getting on with it, but a few days ago have noticed  a hard, immobile lump on the right side of my neck. I don’t usually feel my neck so I’m not sure how long it’s been there. I assumed it was only a swollen lymph node in response to the cold but I’ve made the mistake of googling and worked myself into quite a state. I’ve read on multiple websites that swollen lymph nodes in response to an infection should be soft and mobile. Mine seems fairly deep, under my chin bone, near my wind pipe, and is hard and does not move unless I put quite a lot of pressure on it (and not much at all). It is completely painless and does not show. You can only feel it. I’ve had others feel it and agree. 

I’ve decided I should book a doctors appointment but I’ll have to wait until Monday and usually you are unable to get an actual appointment for a few weeks. I’ve suddenly become very worried. I’m worried as it seems to meet the criteria for a possible lymphoma symptom, but I also am aware that I do have a cold and I could be wasting doctor time. 

The lump is maybe just under an inch and feels fairly oval in shape. It’s only on the right, and the left side feels totally normal. 

Does anyone know if all my panic is justified? Is it normal to have a hard, immobile lymph node in response to a cold? 

I’m really sorry if I’m wasting anybody’s time.

Thank you :/