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Thread: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Hey everyone

    Ive had a few minor problems with my throat tonsils over the years (regular sore throat and a couple of bouts of tonsilitis) however this feel different.

    My right tonsil is huge and swollen, I first noticed this around 10 days ago. It now hurts to swallow and I can feel it constantly. My lymph gland is also swollen on that side and I have some minor ear each and also some jaw pain. The left tonsil looks normal (barely visible).

    I was a heavy smoker in my 20's and now I am 32 I feel it has come to haunt me. I gave up around 2 years ago.

    I can't get to my GP until monday and I know I will be worried sick until then.

    I was at hospital last week with a breast lump which turned out to be a cyst. Ive had a lot of health stress recently.

    What are the odds of developing tonsil cancer as an ex smoker? I feel that this is the only explanation. There is no white spots or typical infection signs on that tonsil.

    I feel like I should start planning my funeral. I just cannot face a draw out illness. :(

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
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    24,667

    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    I'm a H&N cancer survivor. A day or so won't make a difference either way so ruminating is just wasted. That being said, what you describe doesn't present as anything sinister. It does present as chronic tonsil issues and perhaps that's what needs to be addressed. The odds of this being cancer at your age are pretty slim.

    Congrats on quitting! Quitting because you want to not because you have to is the way to go!

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    524

    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Thank you Fishermanpa. I have seen you post on these issues and it is good to have someone knowledgable on this forum.
    I do hope you are correct. If it isn't serious, (Im a huge worrier so it's hard for me not to think the worse) I am tempted to get my tonsils removed m, but I hear the recovery is not easy as an adult.

  4. #4
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    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Yeah, tonsillectomy as an adult is not fun at all! I had both my palatine and lingual tonsils taken along with biopsies all over my mouth and throat. One benefit is I don't snore anymore

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  5. #5
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    Feb 2015
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    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    My GP didn't think it was anything to worry about, but I'm not convinced. She said my right tonsil looked bigger, and to come back in 2 weeks if it hadn't gone down.
    I just don't know why it would be bigger, and why id keep getting sore throats and pain in that tonsil and ear/jaw area. I'm thinking of paying to see an ENT privately but I'm not sure how much that will cost :(

  6. #6
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    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    So a medical professional and a cancer survivor can't reassure you? What makes you think an ENT would? Did you ask your GP the question you posed here?

    Good luck and as always...

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    524

    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Hey Fishman

    Basically a lot of links on this type of cancer I've read are people saying their GP initially dismissed their symptoms. That is playing on my mind. I'm in a high state of anxiety. My ten years of smoking are haunting me .

  8. #8
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    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Hope you feel better soon

    Positive thoughts
    __________________
    "Eat. Drink. Enjoy the work you do. Be thankful for the blessings God gives you in this life. Live, love and seek out the things that bring your heart joy. The rest is meaningless... Like chasing the wind." King Solomon

    The best help is the help you give yourself! http://cbt4panic.org/

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    63

    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Hi Carrie,

    Just want to reassure you that I had almost identical problems a few years ago (also as an adult)... One tonsil bigger than the other, swollen lymph gland under jaw, ear pain, tonsil stones... The GP was only semi helpful and it was only once I went to an ENT specialist that I really received the answers to my queries.

    I eventually had my tonsils out (my decision) and whilst the recovery wasn't a walk in the park, after two weeks it was all over and I've never looked back. It's such a relief to not have those problems anymore.

    In short, please don't worry. Even though my tonsils looked horrible (even my surgeon said they were "disgusting"!!! ) the histopathology after the surgery came back completely clear, there certainly wasn't any cancer there.

    Good luck to you x

  10. #10
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    Feb 2015
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    524

    Re: Convinced I have tonsil cancer. Help :(

    Thank you clip clop.
    Did you regularly have sore throats too?
    My right tonsil is large and I can constantly 'feel' it. My throat is sore a lot (especially at the moment) and my jaw and ear hurts a little.
    I am fearing the worst as I am an ex smoker.
    Did your ENT do the camera down nose on your first apt?
    Thanks

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