Can anyone talk down my panic? (Lump)

[LellowYedbetter]

DS (18) has just come to me saying he has just noticed a “weird thing” in his neck. I felt it and it’s a huge fuck off lump just under the jawbone on one side. He’s been looking really ill lately, black eyed, pale and skinny but he’s a drug user so naturally I put it down to that. (Yes the drug thing is being dealt with).
I’m going to get him into docs tomorrow but what non-serious thing can it be?? It’s big and hard

Get a GP appointment tomorrow, it might be nothing but get it checked. GPs understand drug use so don't let his use that as an excuse for not going.
If you are worried call 111 and ask for advice.

Lymph node? Is he unwell? Swollen tonsils/sore throat?

A swollen lymp node? They can swell up if he has an infection somewhere. I have one in my neck that pops up now and then if i'm ill.

Most likely is glandular fever. Def get checked but most likely nothing.

Swollen glands was the first thing I thought of - especially if he's run down anyway

This happened to me a year or so ago and it absolutely scared the crap out of me - it was a swollen lymph node and went down after a few weeks.

It'll be swollen glands. There's a small chance it could be a branchial cleft cyst. Neither of these things are a cause for major concern.

It'll be swollen glands though.

His mouth is full of ulcers and sores, loss of appetite and lethargic. It’s so difficult as he’s generally unwell anyway due to his terrible lifestyle

My DD had a spherical lump on her jaw line when she was 15. I immediately panicked but it was a cyst and went by itself.
Obviously get it checked asap but no need to panic.

I occasionally get a decent sized one under my jawbone and kind of close to my ear. It's always a random lymph node that swells up when I'm getting a cold or just run down but nothing serious. I'd get it checked out though just in case.

There is an outbreak of mumps at the moment. Could be that?