text: i have a lump! what is it? i have a lump on my neck about 4 inches away from my left ear! it's hard when you press on it... any idea's what it could be before i go see a doctor and get scared that it's cancer! definetly do not delay seeing a dr. in the meantime don't stres yourself and get worked up. there are lymph nodes all over the body. when the body gets an infection. i.e., ear, tooth abcess, etc, the coresspond lymph node can show up swollen and stiff.