Cancer Research UK main site

One tonsil is bigger than the other

Ebou5269
Offline

Hi I am 20 year old male, who usually gets tonsillitis, i get it a lot and think nothing of it but I've fallen I'll with it for the past 4 days now and it is getting better slowly, slower than usual. But ive noticed that this time it's different. My right tonsils is extremely smaller than my left. I see that on my right tonsil it still has white patches but on the left side I've got white spots covered all over and it also looks there a second tiny tonsil  or lump behind it covered in white spots. I'm just not to sure I've been to the doctors and they said I have tonsillitis but just looking more and more at my tonsils something feels of about them. I did look it up as I shouldn't and it came up with tonsil cancer. If anyone could help 

Thank You

  • Offline

    When you have repeat tonsillitis your tonsils can get scarred and misshapen and full of holes/lumps etc. I really wouldn't worry it is anything more.  What you describe could even be a tonsil stone - especially with the white spots. I got tonsillitis badly as a kid and then nothing for years until my early twenties - i ended up with it permenantly and basically begged to have them removed. Best thing i ever did.I honestly really wouldn't worry. Your tonsils will be swollen with the infenction and i had exactly as you describe - one smaller than the other and almost looked like two tonsils.

  • Hello and thanks for your post

    I think you have been given some good advice from Jo.bs. 

    Some people are prone to tonsil symptoms and you do need to give your antibiotics more time to work. Tonsil cancer is rare, but when it does occur if usually affects people over the age of 60. So I don’t think you need to be overly worried about this especially at your young age.

    But if you are still very worried about the appearance of your tonsils I think the best thing to do would be to talk this through with your GP again and hopefully they can put your mind at rest. 

    Best wishes,

    Celene

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.