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Tonsil cancer?
Hi all,
In January this year I developed a sore throat and noticed that a small hole had appeared near my right tonsil with a foul tasting discharge. My GP prescribed antibiotics which didn't help, so I returned and saw a different GP and was again given antibiotics. This cycle continued for 3 months and during this time the hole got bigger and pain has spread down my neck, to my ear and jaw and the inside of my mouth around the hole has become red, hard and raised, and swallowing is painful. I also have a painful lump on my neck on that side. I returned to my GP surgery and saw yet another GP who went mad because the none of the previous GP's had referred me to ENT. Anyway he sent an urgent referral to ENT, I was seen by them in less than a week, and within the next 10 days I had CT scan and MRI scan. Last Thursday (2 days after my MRI scan) the ENT consultant phoned me to say the MRI scan showed an area of swelling on my tonsil and neck area that he is "worried about". I'm booked in for surgery and biopsy next week and feeling terrified. I know I should be grateful about how quickly they are dealing with this, but equally the speed of the whole process has worried me. I'm so worried and keep getting upset. I know that this could be benign but at the same time I can't stop my mind running away with me and thinking the worst. I just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience.
Thank you
Pippa
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Hello Pippa and welcome to this group. First of course you need to know the results of the biopsy so we shan’t jump to to any conclusions. You can however expect a rather sore mouth from the surgery for a few days as a tonsillectomy in adults is usually more evasive than in children. Either way at least you will get the troubled bugger out which should be great relief.
Can you keep me updated on the results? There are many eyes in this feed which can help you on your path.
Worry will not change the outcome. A brilliant statesman often said “Courage.” Let’s go with that.
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4 ReactionsWell let me tell you that I have been in the exact same situation as you have been but mine started in Nov of 2022. It was not until March of 2023 that I was diagnosed with squamous cell corncinoma I have a appointment with my ent tomorrow morning to schedule radiation schedule so I’m told that this cancer has a very good success rate for treatment results so with God and the medical team I’m praying all goes well and that your results are favourable
Keep your spirit up
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1 ReactionPippa,
My experience started with a lump on my neck in the fall of 2022 that I assumed was a swollen lymph node, but it kept getting bigger. Long story short I was referred to an ENT after 2 months. Thankfully I had an annual physical scheduled after ignoring it for a few months and my GP sent me to the ENT right away or I might have ignored it longer. The first biopsy was inconclusive and they decided to remove the mass (thought it was a benign cyst) which confirmed cancer and then it was off to the races with treatment of two surgeries (one to remove my left tonsil which was discovered to be the primary tumor site) and radiation/chemo. Fast forward six months and I'm one month post-treatment and doing very well. I pray your situation is not cancer but if it is rest assured that today's treatment plans are very effective. Please reach out to me if you need any to talk about anything along the way.
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5 ReactionsStart using Aquafor as soon as your radiation treatments start. My neck suffered trauma, but not nearly as severe as it could have been without it. Praying for your healing. Don’t give up-it gets better after a lot of rest and time.
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4 ReactionsI did! In November of 2022 I had a lot of dental work done, including 3 extractions. I went back to the Periodontist 3x’s because I had a terrible sore throat. He gave me antibiotics and then meds for shingles. No relief. Then my PCP 2x’s and then to an allergist. It wasn’t until December that I was sent to an ENT. Within 2 days after I was in a surgical Oncologist’s office. She did a biopsy and even before it was sent out she was sure it was cancer. Then the holidays hit and I had to wait for appointments with 2 other cancer specialists. By the time my appointments aligned and my insurance approved my treatments it was now the end of February. I am now finally finished with radiation and chemo but the waiting was ridiculous. Still don’t know if I’m cancer free. I have a PET scan in July. I know the waiting is horrible, but keep pushing everyone to listen to you even if you think you are being a bother. You are your own best advocate.
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3 ReactionsPippa,
Are you doing okay after your appointments? More waiting no doubt.
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1 ReactionHi William,
My surgery is next Tuesday, I've been told there will be a 2 week wait for biopsy results. Thank you for asking I will keep you updated.
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2 ReactionsI’ve been through this recently as well. CTScan, biopsies, PETscan and then throat surgery to take 6 biopsies and ultimately take out the tonsils. All scans and biopsies were negative but the right tonsil had cancer cells. This entire event started with a swollen lymph node on the right side
I talked with the Dr yesterday and he is referring me for robotics surgery consultation. It’s a one-and-done procedure which Will not require radiation and the side effects of radiation. Has anyone had experience with robotic surgery of the neck?
Thank you
Shanna
Shanna,
I had the TORS trans oral robotic surgery for my left tonsil which was a success in removing he primary tumor. In my case radiation and chemo was done after but everyone’s cancer is different. The post surgery recovery was tough but I’m much better now 5 months later. Do you know if your doctor wants you to have a neck dissection to remove more lymph nodes?
I’m not sure. I think this was a very early detection and the primary was removed with the tonsil. He only mentioned one lymph node and no radiation following.