lymph nodes have been swollen for at least 2 years, now tender and hurting?

23 year old white female,
One of my lymph nodes on the left side of my jaw (feels like a hard ball shape) have been swollen for at least 2 years (growing gradually) and when I went to my doctor for a checkup last year they said it was probably nothing to worry about so i just kind of ignored it. Only today did it start getting tender and hurting when I touch it and now I am worried. I sometimes wake up with a sore throat but it leaves during the day. There is also a clicking in my jaw that I can’t seem to fix. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it. Please help me know what the problem is and if it is serious. Thank you.


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