Worried about my 5 year old

[Sampowell542]

Health anxiety has been at bay for a while. Until now. Partner noticed 5 year olds right tonsil is larger than right. He was ill a while ago with a sore throat etc, not sure if it was swollen since then or before.
I have obviously googled it. And I've fallen pretty hard down the 'hes got lymphoma' rabbit hole.
Its been like that for about a month now, with no change at all. Hes not losing weight, no night sweats etc. Literally just one slightly swollen tonsil.
Please tell me this can be normal? Help me be rational about it.

[Midnight-mouse]

My tonsils are different sizes and shapes, they have been for years now. If your child was ill it would be far more obvious than different sized tonsils.

Positive vibes,

Mouse


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[Clydesdale Epona]

Hey a regular tonsil sufferer here! :)

first of all "" is commonly found in a lymph node, such as the neck or armpit etc. Its unlikely to be that so defo do not threat! My tonsils swell up when i fight a cold, infection, tonsilitis, and basically any illness. Tonsil come in different sizes as mouse has said, but it could also be because of previously fighting an infection and its just taking a while. If you're worried you can see the GP about it, but if its not really red or painful i think the odds are looking good :)

[ErinKC]

My right tonsil is significantly larger than my left and has been for as long as I can remember! I used to get strep a ton when I was a kid, too, and my right side always hurts more when I have a sore throat.

Also, I have a 5 year old and I'm really impressed you can manage to look down his throat long enough to see his tonsils!

[Sampowell542]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Managed to make a gp appointment for him next Tuesday. Trying to keep my anxiety at bay and stop jumping to conclusions! And stay off google!!

[Sampowell542]

Seen doctor. Checked him over, checked nodes in neck, they where fine. Said he wasnt overly concerned but was going to consult with another doctor and then get back to me to see if we need to get referred. Thankfully its calmed my nerves!

[adamden]

Seen doctor. Checked him over, checked nodes in neck, they where fine. Said he wasnt overly concerned but was going to consult with another doctor and then get back to me to see if we need to get referred. Thankfully its calmed my nerves!
That's always great news Sam! Glad to hear you got some comfort.

[Sampowell542]

We've been referred to ent. My panicking has started to creep back in. Him not having other symptoms that suggest lymphoma is the only thing thats keeling me from not going totally crazy.

[Fishmanpa]

Tonsil issues are extremely common in kids. I went through it as a child, my kids went through it as did most I believe. IMO, that's all this is. Its good he'll be checked out and if there is potential for a future tonsil issue, you'll be squared away for it to be taken care of if it needs it.

Positive thoughts

[Sampowell542]

Havent posted in a while. But we seen the ent specialist and theyre taking it out next week. This was decided a few months ago, around September. The tonsil is no bigger, just the same. Im still so concerned its cancer. Lymphoma is my actual fear. The doctor said shes worked 16 years at a local cancer hospital and never seen a case with swollen tonsils resulting in cancer. But you know how our minds wonder.

[Kitkat99]

Havent posted in a while. But we seen the ent specialist and theyre taking it out next week. This was decided a few months ago, around September. The tonsil is no bigger, just the same. Im still so concerned its cancer. Lymphoma is my actual fear. The doctor said shes worked 16 years at a local cancer hospital and never seen a case with swollen tonsils resulting in cancer. But you know how our minds wonder.


Surely if it was cancer by now he would have way more serious symptoms? Cancer gradually gets worse it doesn’t stay the same over time.

[Scass]

Goof luck for the operation, it sounds like it’ll all be ok.

[Sampowell542]

So we're due in on Wednesday to get it taken out.
It was cancelled twice due to him getting tonsillitis days before the operation and then when it was next scheduled Covid-19 kicked off so we where put off again. Now weve been given the go ahead for Wednesday.

Now slightly worried about covid-19. It seems to be pretty under control in my area and we dont have that many confirmed cases recently. Op is a day job, under for an hour and we'll be home for lunch time. I hate hospitals so Im glad of this.

It'll be getting biopsied afterwards and this is the time I'm dreading the most. I'm convinced its something sinister.
Partner thinks I'm crazy, this tonsil situation as you can see when i started the post, has been going on for like a year since we seen ent specialists. So he just says if it was something serious, he'd be seriously ill by now. But, I just have a niggle in my head that just says but what if. What if its something bad.

[worryingmum]

Hi
just wanted to say that I'm going in Friday for the same procedure, for the same reason! my left tonsil is bigger than the other. I did the googling thing and have been in a bit of a state but saw ENT and he thinks just 1% chance of anything and im in my thirties so I would say practically 0% for your little boy. I feel for you having to wait this long! Its been driving me mad! x