Worried about cancer of the tonsil

[littlestpogo]

Hello everyone

Not really sure why I am posting tbh! I guess going someone can give me some perspective.

I have had one enlarged tonsil for a couple of months now with occasional sore throat. Finally got the GP to look via photos and she referred me to an ENT. It was a non urgent referral as she said she wasn’t particularly concerned ( although agrees it is enlarged but as it hasn’t changed as far as I can recall she said wasn’t that worried). I’m very lucky I have private health insurance so have gone via that route and have an appointment next week now.

I made the mistake of googling however and all I can see for enlarged tonsil is cancer. I have health anxiety and am finding it very difficult to deal with the wait. Also a single parent to two primary DC and so because of Covid on my own which I think isn’t helping - no one to give me any perspective.

I’m only just 44 and never drank or smoke so technically I should be low risk but guess someone has to be that person.

I'm not sure if this will make you worry more or less but I had what my GP thought was an enlarged tonsil - I did have tonsilitus when it was first picked up but she wanted me to go back after the antibiotics to check it had gone down. When it hadn't (but the tonsilitus had cleared up) they referred me to ENT. I had to go for an MRI scan which confirmed it wasn't my tonsils but a tumour on the paratoid (saliva) glands which was growing above the roof of my mouth and that was pushing my tonsil forward making it look enlarged. If I hadn't had tonsilitus I don't know how it would ever have been picked up! It was still a fairly major thing but it was benign and required no treatment beyond surgery to remove it so don't panic about it being cancer!!

Thank you for your reply emma.

Tbh I am slightly worried about how long it’s been like this! Guess have to hope it’s something else and at least I’m getting it checked ( it was only because I googled normal tonsils and thought it looked odd otherwise not sure it would have been picked up as no dentists appointments this year!).

I wondered how long mine had been like this too. Once I knew it was there I was aware of the roof of my mouth bulging in slightly on one side (although everything feels huge compared to what it looks like when you touch it with your tongue!). Apparently it was a very slow growing tumour but I'd been to 6 monthly dental check-ups and he was baffled he never noticed anything.