Q: belching is listed as an uncommon symptom of esophageal cancer. my understanding is a gastric belch flows through the les, through the esophagus, through the ues, and out the mouth. why would a tumor contribute to an increased belching frequency?

: Esophageal cancer often gives the sensation of something stuck in the chest creating the urge to belch. Forcing yourself to belch makes one swallow air and, thus may continue the urge to belch. I'm not sure this answers your question, though.

Q: what causes tonsil cancer?

Oral tobacco use: The majority of tonsillar cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, including chewing tobacco. Heavy alcohol use increases the risk in tobacco users. Another form of tonsillar cancer is lymphoma and there are no know preexisting conditions that cause that type of tumor.

Q: what does tonsil cancer look like?

Bulging lump: Usually, it shows up as a lump on the side of the throat in the back. It can be painful or pain less. If the tonsil looks swollen, red, or irregular shaped, then it needs to be biopsied. Also, it can show up as swollen lymph nodes on the side of the neck as well.

Q: what are the signs of tonsil cancer?

Lesion in throat: With tonsilar cancer there is an ulcerating lesion that causes tenderness. This is mostly true of the squamous Ca's. With lymphoma of the tonsil the lesion grows and eventually spreads to the cervical nodes on the side of the lesion. Sqamous lesions frequently have nodal spread also so that in all cases chemo/RT are employed

Q: how common is tonsil cancer in my 20s?

Really rare: Tonsil cancer mostly is from chronic exposure to smoke and alcohol. In the 20's the length of exposure is too short for this to develop. (a good time to consider stopping these if you are at risk.) tonsils can be a site for metastatic tumors, and lymphoid system tumors - also very uncommon. If you have a growth, see your otolaryngologist for diagnosis.

Q: is there a possibility i have tonsil cancer?

I do not know: Without examining you, knowing your family history, "social history" etc, and essentially doing a full history and physical examination on you, it would be impossible to comment on what condition you have, but hopefully, at age 24, tonsilar cancer would be rare. Best wishes.

Q: would your temperature indicate whether you have tonsil cancer?

Not likely: Temperature elevation is the body's response to infection. Most cancers do not stimulate this part of the body's defense so the temperature does not elevate in early cancer. If you temperature is elevated and your tonsils appear inflamed or hurt then you probably have an infection of your tonsils.

Q: i have one tonsil bigger than the other and im scared it is cancer .

Need more info: How much is one tonsil bigger than the other? Small asymmetry is normal. How long have you noticed the size difference? If there are no other symptoms, you may watch and wait. If the size difference in the two tonsils more than doubles, you get enlarged lymph glands else where, lose weight or get fever, see a doctor.

Q: don't know if got bigger. one tonsil has always been bigger 4 @ least 8 yrs. hasn't changed size in 4 mos. i read this 99% time cancer. worried. :(?

Enlarged tonsil: See a ENT specialist . If it is suspicious it can be removed / or a biopsy done to exclude cancer.

Question 1

why is tonsil cancer so rare?

Accepted Answer

Tonsil CA increasing: Tonsil cancer is rare : <0.5% of all cancers but occurs mainly in smokers/drinkers. The number of cases worldwide have been increasing, possibly linked to the hpv-16 virus. 
Most tonsil cancers are (hnscc) -head/neck squamous cell carcinoma but a minority are lymphomas (tonsils are lymphoid tissue) smokers need a thorough oral exam yearly.

Question 2

belching is listed as an uncommon symptom of esophageal cancer. my understanding is a gastric belch flows through the les, through the esophagus, through the ues, and out the mouth. why would a tumor contribute to an increased belching frequency?

Accepted Answer

: Esophageal cancer often gives the sensation of something stuck in the chest creating the urge to belch. Forcing yourself to belch makes one swallow air and, thus may  continue the urge to belch. I'm not sure this answers your question, though.

Question 3

what causes tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

Oral tobacco use: The majority of tonsillar cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, including chewing tobacco.  Heavy alcohol use increases the risk in tobacco users.  Another form of tonsillar cancer is lymphoma and there are no know preexisting conditions that cause that type of tumor.

Question 4

what does tonsil cancer look like?

Accepted Answer

Bulging lump: Usually, it shows up as a lump on the side of the throat in the back.  It can be painful or pain less.  If the tonsil looks swollen, red, or irregular shaped, then it needs to be biopsied.

Also, it can show up as swollen lymph nodes on the side of the neck as well.

Question 5

what are the signs of tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

Lesion in throat: With tonsilar cancer there is an ulcerating lesion that causes tenderness.  This is mostly true of the squamous Ca's.  With lymphoma of the tonsil the lesion grows and eventually spreads to the cervical nodes on the side of the lesion.  Sqamous lesions frequently have nodal spread also so that in all cases chemo/RT are employed

Question 6

how common is tonsil cancer in my 20s?

Accepted Answer

Really rare: Tonsil cancer mostly is from chronic exposure to smoke and alcohol.  In the 20's the length of exposure is too short for this to develop. (a good time to consider stopping these if you are at risk.)  tonsils can be a site for metastatic tumors, and lymphoid system tumors -  also very uncommon.  If you have a growth, see your otolaryngologist for diagnosis.

Question 7

is there a possibility i have tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

I do not know: Without examining you, knowing your family history, "social history" etc, and essentially doing a full history and physical examination on you, it would be impossible to comment on what condition you have,  but hopefully, at age 24, tonsilar cancer would be rare.  Best wishes.

Question 8

would your temperature indicate whether you have tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Temperature elevation is the body's response to infection.  Most cancers do not stimulate this part of the body's defense so the temperature does not elevate in early cancer.  If you temperature is elevated and your tonsils appear inflamed or hurt then you probably have an infection of your tonsils.

Question 9

i have one tonsil bigger than the other and im scared it is cancer .

Accepted Answer

Need more info: How much is one tonsil bigger than the other? Small asymmetry is normal. How long have you noticed the size difference? If there are no other symptoms, you may watch and wait. If the size difference in the two tonsils more than doubles, you get enlarged lymph glands else where, lose weight or get fever, see a doctor.

Question 10

don't know if got bigger. one tonsil has always been bigger 4 @ least 8 yrs. hasn't changed size in 4 mos.  i read this 99% time cancer. worried. :(?

Accepted Answer

Enlarged tonsil: See a ENT specialist . If it is suspicious it can be removed / or a biopsy done to exclude cancer.

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Doctor answers about:

Is tonsil cancer rare

A member asked:

Why is tonsil cancer so rare?

A member asked:

Belching is listed as an uncommon symptom of esophageal cancer. my understanding is a gastric belch flows through the les, through the esophagus, through the ues, and out the mouth. why would a tumor contribute to an increased belching frequency?

A member asked:

What causes tonsil cancer?

A member asked:

What does tonsil cancer look like?

A member asked:

What are the signs of tonsil cancer?

A member asked:

How common is tonsil cancer in my 20s?

A member asked:

Is there a possibility i have tonsil cancer?

A member asked:

Would your temperature indicate whether you have tonsil cancer?

A member asked:

I have one tonsil bigger than the other and im scared it is cancer .

A member asked:

Don't know if got bigger. one tonsil has always been bigger 4 @ least 8 yrs. hasn't changed size in 4 mos. i read this 99% time cancer. worried. :(?

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