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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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I’ll be praying for you to get through the treatments. It’s a very tough ride, but don’t give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not great, but almost 2 months later I’m feeling a LOT better.
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2 ReactionsI am super nervous as I am anxiously waiting for my biopsy results from my tonsil. Came across this site and want to share. I’m 44 and I have a lump near below my right ear, thought it was due to my root canal tooth infection, extracted my tooth and lump still there, then went to ENT and said right tonsil looked larger than the other and thought it’s infection, prescribed me antibiotics, didn’t go away. So went to CT scan, found something and referred me to another specialist, then went to specialist and they suspected tumor in tonsil, took a small sample to test, next Wednesday I should hear from them. Super nervous and don’t know what to do.
Hello @versailes77 and welcome to our group. Very understandable you being anxious awaiting biopsy results, which sadly isn't a big rush for your doctors but certainly is for the patient. If your doctor has a patient portal that you can log into, it has been my experience the results of a biopsy are often posted there long before your doctor meets with you.
Typically a cancer biopsy analysis should be done on site and take only minutes, or at least that's the case in properly equipped clinics and hospitals. But it is what it is and the wait can turn hours into days. Around a holiday things can often take much longer.
Can you share the results? I would really like to help you along on this unchosen path.
@versailes77, how are you doing? Did you get results from the biopsy?
good evening! my name is ingrid I am the new one in this group. I was diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer, metastasis in the lymph node near the tonsil. In the Pet Ct exam, no other metastases were found. I have been going to doctors for a year, who thought that the infection was still present -antibiotics. then they sent me to the dentist. in the end, a needle biopsy from the ganglion showed "malignant formation with squamous cells. please if you can help me with an advice. the doctor told me that an operation is needed. this will be very difficult, by cutting the mandible, tracheostomy to be able to breathe, remove all the lymph nodes from the mediastinum and so on... it seems like a horror movie
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1 ReactionHi @ingridr1979 and welcome. You can read several posts about patients struggles with squamous cell cancer in this group.
My advice is to make sure the cell type is revealed before any invasive surgery commences. If you have HPV 16+ type, often Chemo can be tried instead of surgery and radiation in many cases. You may want to get a second opinion. Also insure your doctor has significant experience in head and neck cancers specifically. You may need to seek help elsewhere.
Good luck. People are here for you if you have questions so please just ask.
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4 Reactions<p>I have a sensation of Sore throat that doesn't go away and recently i saw a Little bit of blood in the saliva</p>
Have you seen a doctor?
Hi @cristian1998 and welcome to the head and neck cancer group at Mayo Clinic Connect. Most of the people who interact here are patients, either former or current. There are of course a few medical professionals among us yet even at that, we do not diagnose, nor would you want someone to diagnose you via text and photos when it comes to something as critical as cancer.
That being said, when you say the sore throat doesn't go away, are we talking days? Weeks? Months? Certainly with a little blood something is seriously wrong. Odds are an infection of some sort and this should be looked at by a doctor or urgent care facility, at least to rule out anything worse. If (and odds are not) you are diagnosed with a cancer such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma, take considerable notes and ask every question you can think of from your care team. Then we can help you understand what is to come, what is expected, and how to help you through what can be a very difficult (but not impossible) time. Not going to the doctor is not an option if this sore throat isn't getting better. Right now you may be at stage one if cancer. Wait long enough and the stage goes up making the cure more difficult. Get Thee to a Doctor.
I will leave you with one word: "Courage!"
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4 ReactionsThank you so much ! What kind of doctor could help me ?