My understanding is the only way to determine if a lump is cancer or not is with a biopsy? 

Happy to be corrected but as far as I know the scans etc can reveal tumors etc but the only way to check if it's benign or not is a biopsy. A pet scan can also show cancer tumors. 

Hi Samster,

Exactly. I wasn't sure that he had seen it properly as it is right at the base of the tonsil. I really have to open my mouth wide and hold my tongue down which is difficult to do if I'm not looking in the miror. In fact, the first GP I saw couldn't see it initially and got me to use his light and stood behind me so that he could see it in the mirror. I have managed to take a picture of it, so when the ENT Dr was speaking, I showed him the pic. Once you have seen it, you can't unsee it. I can see it in normal daylight. 

I mentioned that I had been concerned about HPV because I had abnormal cells on my cervix removed 23 years ago. They didn't test for HPV then and have only just started to do that for women in the last couple of years. But, all cell changes of cells on the cervix are caused by HPV. As to which strain it was, I will never know. There are about a dozen and the high risk ones are HPV 16 and 18. HPV 16 is also the most commonly associated with HPV positive throat cancer, less commonly HPV 18. So, it is possible that my throat was also infected and in the tonsils it takes 20-30 years to develop into cancer. I am also an ex-smoker. He agreed with me and also agreed when I said that throat cancer is a awful disease. 

I am ok for now to accept his judgement, as it is what I wanted to hear and I didn't exactly want uncomfortable tests (I faint easily) or to find out anything sinister is going on. I'll keep my eye on it and go back if I am concerned. 

I am sorry for your diagnosis Samster. I have read some of your posts and my heart goes out to you. It certainly is a difficult treatment. We are here for you and it is useful to talk through things with 'outside' people even if you may have a good support network at home, as those around us go through the emotional side of dealing with cancer too. 

I'm not saying for one moment this isn't what they say it is, but with something so rare, I'd be wary about someone diagnosing something like this straight off the bat regardless of experience. I mean, there are rare things, then there's so rare, only 23 or so documented cases ever.

Maybe speak to the gp and air your concerns about such a rare thing being diagnosed within minutes with zero follow up? At the very least, you'd think they would have to remove something that was so rare.

Maybe you're just looking up the wrong thing, and what you have maybe actually falls under a different medical name. I dunno.

Lipomas aren't connected to weight, so I wouldn't take offence to that part. I had one on my arm years ago, and thought the same as you. I’m also well within normal range for my height. In fact, one doctor once said, i was bordering on being under weight. 

They can be genetic or due to trauma. But nothing to do with your actual weight.

Yeah, just my humour. The only cysts I've ever had are Nabothian cysts confirmed via colposcopy last year. So, not really prone to them. My Mum has never had any either. IDK, I'm chosing not to worry about it anymore atm. My heart really goes out to those who have any diagnosis of cancer. I've watched every story I could find on throat/ head and neck cancer. You have to dig deep on Youtube as not many on there, but the radiation is really rough and causes considerable side effects for a long time. Whilst not all throat cancers are caused by HPV, I'm sure progress can be made to reduce the incidence. Obviously the vaccination will work, or at least they are hoping it gives at least 10 years protection. But it would be good if tests could detect the high risk variants in the throat and train the immune system to deal with it before it develops into cancer, as it escapes immunity. I'm not a virologist, of course. I certainly hope so.