Back Neck and Spine
Head, Ears, and Nose

What could a knot behind your left ear be that has been there for as long as you can remember but it doesn't hurt and could it be thyroid cancer?

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Wiki User
2010-04-07 20:38:07

A knot behind your left ear is probably a lymph gland. However,

thyroid tissue can infrequently be found in other areas of the body

outside of its normal placement. Early in embryonic development,

the thyroid gland forms near the brain and migrates downward to its

normal position in the lower neck. Sometimes "pieces" can be left

behind during migration that function like normal thyroid tissue.

Additionally, thyroid tissue can sometimes be found in the chest

cavity or other body parts when the migration process has not gone


If you are worried about your thyroid, the lump, or cancer, go

to your doctor for answers. Make sure you understand his/her

explanation fully and ask for it to be noted in your chart

including size, so if it appears to have grown you can go back and

remeasure and seek further evaluation.

"Answer" id="Answer">Answer

Thyroid cancer is in the neck. The knot behind your ear is probably

part of your head. If you have had it awhile, and it hasn't grown,

it is probably normal. You would have a knot in your neck if it

were your thyroid.
