I have what i think is a swollen lymph node in front of my ear where my jaw connects. what could be the cause of it? and should i go to a doctor?

Probable parotid: Lymph nodes representing primary or metastatic disease when noted in the cervical region usually appear in jugular chain anteriorly or less commonly in the posterior triangle. A primary arises from oral cavity or thyroid A lesion in the preauricluar region is parotidglmost frequently. Any surgeon performing H&N or parotid surgery can define your lesion.