Question 1

what does cancer of the tonsils look like?

Accepted Answer

Tonsil cancer: Hello, the appearance of cancer in the tonsil  usually looks like a ulcer, asymmetric, reddish  and often bleeds. This lesion would also be very painful. However, tonsil cancer may be present and the tonsil may look completely normal. So a normal appearing tonsil does not guarantee cancer isn't present.  See your ENT doctor for a complete evaluation.

Question 2

help please! is cancer of the tonsils very common?

Accepted Answer

Tonsil cancer: More common in heavy alcohol drinkers and smokers. Becoming more common with HPV 16 disease. Squamous cell carcinoma most common, some lymphomas

Question 3

i have asmmetrical tonsils. i have had it for about 4 weeks no other symptoms and it isnt that big. could it be cancer?

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying: This is commonplace. Tonsil size changes unpredictably and means nothing unless one or both of them become extremely large.

Question 4

if asymmetrical tonsils are normal why when you google it you always come up as cancer? my one tonsil is 5x bigger than other. been this way for years

Accepted Answer

May be normal : If it has been the same for years probably a normal variant.  If there is a concern then make an appointment with an ENT physician.  Hope this helps.

Question 5

never looked at my tonsils until 3 months ago. when i looked i saw one is larger and diff shape than the other. larger one looks the same as 3 months ago. if it were cancer would it likely have changed in size in 3 months? sometimes it has dull aches?

Accepted Answer

: Stop looking. The right side of your body is not an EXACT mirror image of the left. If tonsil is not growing (over weeks or months) no reason to be concerned

Question 6

one of my tonsils stick out or looks like it has a lump. been there for about 5 weeks. could it be cancer?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: If anything bad it would be a potential puss pocket or abscess. These could be fatal if it were to rupture while you were sleeping &amp; trigger debris forced into your lungs. Have it looked at. It may be something minor.

Question 7

my pet read..symetric intense increase uptake in the bilateral palatine lingual tonsils. hypermetobolic prominent level 2&5 nodes reactive. cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Nodes and tonsils do take up a lot of glucose and because PET reads anything that is metabolically active, it doesn't mean cancer. Mostly it is not. Hyper metabolic tonsils and nodes mean that they are active and taking glucose. Biopsy is the only way to determine cancer, but necessary only in cases with high suspicion a priori. We reassure the patients and call for 3month physical exam.

Question 8

37y healthy female never smoked tonsil stones x 10yr removed lots stones when pushed on tonsil tonsils appear swollen w/ large pockets. tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: but only an exam by a qualified doctor can tell the difference.  You need to show your tonsils to a doctor.

Question 9

my ent says my tonsils are normal even though one is quite bigger than other. watching it for 6 mos to see. concerned that it may b cancer from readin?

Accepted Answer

ENT knows better: An ENT specialist is the best qualified person to evaluate your tonsils. This forum is not a good way to second guess your ent, as it does not allow examination of your throat.

Question 10

i get frequent tonsilitis. right now i dont have tonsilitis but my tonsils are not the same size. no other symptoms other than tonsil stones. should i be worried for tonsil cancer?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: at your age...and the size of your tonsils may normally vary from side to side depending upon a whole host of factors the most common of which is the number of infections they have "filtered".
Hope this is helpful!

Dr Z

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Doctor answers about:

Naturel cures for toncil cancer

A member asked:

What does cancer of the tonsils look like?

A member asked:

Help please! is cancer of the tonsils very common?

A member asked:

I have asmmetrical tonsils. i have had it for about 4 weeks no other symptoms and it isnt that big. could it be cancer?

A member asked:

If asymmetrical tonsils are normal why when you google it you always come up as cancer? my one tonsil is 5x bigger than other. been this way for years

A member asked:

Never looked at my tonsils until 3 months ago. when i looked i saw one is larger and diff shape than the other. larger one looks the same as 3 months ago. if it were cancer would it likely have changed in size in 3 months? sometimes it has dull aches?

A member asked:

One of my tonsils stick out or looks like it has a lump. been there for about 5 weeks. could it be cancer?

A member asked:

My pet read..symetric intense increase uptake in the bilateral palatine lingual tonsils. hypermetobolic prominent level 2&5 nodes reactive. cancer?

A member asked:

37y healthy female never smoked tonsil stones x 10yr removed lots stones when pushed on tonsil tonsils appear swollen w/ large pockets. tonsil cancer?

A member asked:

My ent says my tonsils are normal even though one is quite bigger than other. watching it for 6 mos to see. concerned that it may b cancer from readin?

A member asked:

I get frequent tonsilitis. right now i dont have tonsilitis but my tonsils are not the same size. no other symptoms other than tonsil stones. should i be worried for tonsil cancer?

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