Swollen lymphoid gland and crackling in throat???

My friend has a swollen lymphoid gland that is the size of a golf ball and has taken antibiotics and the size has remained the same and over the past year he has noticed a cracking of popping noise in his throat...at first it was only at night time now its becoming more frequent through out the day and it is bothering him and even more worrying him....he is afraid it may be cancer. I dont have an answer for him and im helping him get into a ent specialist as soon as possible....Im wondering if the cracking noise is ociated with the swollen lymphoid gland and could it be cancerious??? Any advice will help thank....and God Bless.