My older cat seems to have a cactus needle stuck in his neck?

i was playing with my cat and i found something long and hard. so i searched the spot where i felt it and found a long cactus needle.....he has gotten outside before but not for awhile. it looks ingrown....should i take him to the vet and see what they can do? i don't want to cause him harm because he is an older cat. should i try to extract it?