Just Diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer - How to Treat?

@lollie
So, was it only inflammation?

@roblem -My oncologist said lets wait six months and do blood work and another CT scan to see if anything has changed...if it's the same it will not be a concern. That appt. is in a couple of weeks.

Hi @lolliegee,

What was the diagnosis of the liver? Was it just inflammation or a benign cyst/legion? And what were the treatment options?
I just had my usual head/neck and chest CTs a few weeks ago and they found a cyst/legion on my upper liver that was not ever there before so yesterday I had to get an additional abdomen CT exam to make sure it is nothing concerning.

Thanks much in advance.

@johnbonani I had the same thing. I'm a week and a half out of 25 rounds of radiation. Post treatment has been the worst.

The NavDx blood test is an HPV proprietary test in the US. It's referred to as a blood biopsy. The samples are sent to their lab and results are available in about two weeks. Cost is covered by Medicare and many commercial insurance plans. Not sure about availability outside US.

Hmmm.....I, too, had the PET Scan 3 months after completion of treatment with no cancer. My stage One cancer had metastasized into a lymph node in my neck (primary source my tonsil) prior to treatment- that's how my dentist found it! I've also had blood work and CT scans concerning an area on my liver and low white blood cell count (which is finally on a slow path upward). I feel confident in my team and their level of expertise and that the cancer is gone. Now I'm just dealing with actinic keratosis and a spot of squamous cell carcinoma erupting on my face! Radiation: the gift that keeps on giving!

@longboat1 I had one PET Scan about 12 weeks after finishing treatment and since then just visual nasal throat checkups. My oncologist hasn't mentioned anything about NovDx blood test. I didn't know it existed before coming on here. I'm in Ireland and will start looking into this now! Thank you for your advice

I don't think a visual nasal and throat exam is sufficient followup for tonsil cancer. Quite often that cancer has moved to the lymph glands. Palpating the glands in your throat may reveal swelling.

Prior to my treatment for hpv tonsil cancer my radiologist ordered a NavDx blood test and PETscan. Both were positive. Right after treatment the tests were repeated and both showed very low levels of cancer. The treatment was still working at that time. 3 months later they were repeated again. Results were negative. 6 months later they were still negative. My last round is coming up next month. If results are still negative they will be discontinued unless there are new symptoms....hopefully not! I like and feel very comfortable that my cancer is gone.

@niml Hi .. I had treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer in 2006 - 35 rounds of radiation, and 5-6 doses of chemo. Had my feeding tube removed a few months after completion of treatment.
I thought I was doing 'ok' until mid 2020 - diagnosed with dysarthria and dysphagia and also severe neck fibrosis.
With swallowing - I have pretty mashed up food, and avoid eating out in public - due to issues with swallowing, and having to spit or cough up food that tends to get stuck in my throat.
With my severe neck fibrosis - I do neck and jaw exercises daily at home, and also go for therapy sessions every other week - hoping that this will help.
Keep well !!

@mazkat - I did not have a tonsillectomy; just 7 wks of radiation and 7 rounds of chemo...at my most recent visit to the ENT he performed the usual 3 month check with the camera up my nose & down my throat. He walked me through the video after the procedure to show me my throat- healthy, pink tissue with just a teeny bit of inflammation near where my tonsils had been...the body is truly amazing! He recommended my next visit be 6 months out instead of 3- YAHOOOO!!!!