Is there anything OTHER than cancer this could be? Wanting to stay hopeful

[susieshow]

I have a sudden enlarged tonsil on one side which started growing a few weeks ago now, I noticed it as it felt as though something was stuck there so looked in the mirror. It's painless, sometimes very mild ache/soreness in the area and neck and is not the result of past or present infection, injury or medication. It's already been 3 weeks and it'll be months before I can get medical attention. I'm inconsolable as I have a happy 5 year old and can't stop thinking about the thought of having to leave him.

Has anyone had this same situation that has ended positively please? All I can find anywhere else for these symptoms is bad news.

I had a benign cyst removed from my tonsil last year. They normally would have just left it but having lost my husband to cancer the surgeon wanted to remove it for my peace of mind. I was referred by my GP as a suspected cancer case and seen within the two week pathway. I had it removed as a day patient two weeks later.

I have one tonsil that is bigger than the other. I noticed it a few years ago and instantly went to the worst case scenario. After a few months, went to the gp as it wasn't going down. They weren't concerned but referred me to the ENT. I was a 10 month wait, I was pregnant and unbelievably anxious so I paid to see a private ENT. He was also unconcerned. He said that it wasn't significantly bigger (I totally disagree!). I then saw the NHS ENT about 6 months later who also agreed it was nothing to worry about. I'm still here, 2 years on with one swollen tonsil. It has stayed the same and annoyingly gets tonsil stones often, which is rubbish. I have had tonsilitis many times which could've contributed to it. Try not to worry but get the the GP.

Another vote for tonsil stones, I get them on one side which is permanently bigger than the other.
You could try very gently poking/pressing on it with something blunt like the other end of your toothbrush. Might encourage a stone to pop out.

Can you eat and drink normally?

Ex dp once had a swollen tonsil and it turned out to be a cyst. He needed surgery to have it removed but all was fine.

I hope so, because I’ve had this for two years and nothings ever happened! A GP looked and said it was fine. It’s very mildly swollen though, just a bit asymmetric.

Asymmetric tonsils can be caused by post nasal drip and also with no other symptoms aren’t usually malignant.

Def does not sound like something to panic about
but as others said the gp surgery should still be able to fit you in even if they haven’t sorted your registration

I used to get horrendous tonsil stones, and still gargle with Peroxyl. It foams in your mouth to release debris and is vile but it really works. I'd have a try while you're waiting to see someone.

How old are you? The peak age for tonsillar cancer is 74.
The incidence of all neck and throat cancers is negligible under 35 years of age. In women, there are less than 200 cases diagnosed under 45 years of age.
if your not a smoker or heavy drinker the odds are reduced further, although oral sex with a number of partners does elevate the risk slightly.

Given your a female with a five year old, I’d aver that you were pretty low risk. Speak to someone about health anxiety and don’t use Dr Google too much.

Do you have any other symptoms as cancer often triggers other things. So any unexplained weight loss? Night Sweats? Unexplained itching ?
your post doesn’t mention these so I am hoping not.

But I wanted you to know - several years ago - I had an enlarged tonsil, turned out to be lymphoma, but I am totally fine now.

So don’t panic, call 111 and list whichever symptoms/ changes you have and ask them for help.
Good luck.