Hello Elizabethr and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about your situation and I can understand having so much information can be confusing.

We do have some useful information on our website about what is tonsil cancer which you might find helpful to read. The P16 that the doctors test for is a protein that is found on the tonsil gland. This is usually caused by HPV (Human papilloma Virus). Patients with the P16 protein tend to respond better to treatment then those without it.

Prophylactic treatment is given to help prevent cancer returning in the future.

It can be very easy to miss symptoms yourself as you may have had a small painless lump.

I hope this helps.

If you would like to talk any of this through with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a ring. The number to ring is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

all the best,

Catherine