Cancer Research UK main site

Swollen tonsil

Nk_91
Offline

Hello everyone 

 

I know they're a lot of posts about similar stuff but wanted to ask a couple of questions. I'll briefly go over my concern first. 
 

I'm 32, female. Ex smoker but vape daily. I had a really bad painful throat (mostly on one side 2-3nmonths ago) I didn't see anyone and carried on as normal. The throat pain stopped and then started again a couple of weeks later. Its been on and off for around 3 months now.

Recently I haven't had any pain but just some discomfort on the left side. Two weeks ago I noticed one tonsil was swollen. Felt well in myself. Went to the GP to get the throat looked at, especially the one swollen tonsil.  He had a look and said there's no sign of infection. And as I'm well in myself to just wait it out. If in 2 weeks it's still swollen he will refer to ENT.

Went back today and saw the same doctor. It's still swollen but he said if I want to see an ENT I should just go private!? He made me feel like it's suddenly not so important, when it was his idea to refer me if nothing changed. He said my nose is congested and that could be causing the tonsil to swell. He said I don't fit the criteria to be referred as I'm 32 and haven't suddenly lost any weight or anything else alarming. He was very assertive telling me to go private. If my husband wasn't with me and pushed for a referal I don't think I would have got one today.

My throat (occasionally) the swollen tonsil side feels dry and scratchy and occasionally there's a dull ache. Sometimes it feels as if there's something stuck in my throat. I get my symptoms aren't that crazy but I don't want to play it down either. Especially as an ex smoker. He did say I'll warn you now, they might do a biopsy and you might be treated where they are lots of people around with cancer. Not sure why he mentioned all of that to be honest. 
 

so anyway, has anyone had anything similar and it turned out to be an issue due to a congested nose? (I don't feel like my nose is that badly congested at all) Are they likely to do a biopsy on my first appointment? Have I wasted my GP's time because he made me feel like I did. I'm not worried its cancer, I've learnt not to worry about things without facts but I do want to rule it.  I've got two young children I have to think about. So any similar experiences? What happened at your ENT Appointment?

 

sorry for the long post and thanks for reading 
 

 

  • Hi Nk_91,

    It's good to hear you got the referral although it sounds like it was a bit difficult to get this. You certainly have done the right thing and haven't wasted anyone's time. The referral appointment now will provide the opportunity to get some answers, and I hope it's not too long to wait for the appointment.

    I'm unsure exactly what tests they will do but they will do what they need to do to get the information they and you need. If you'd like to chat to someone ahead of your appointment then you are always welcome to give our nurses a call. You can reach them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday-Friday, 9-5).

    Hopefully you'll get some more replies here soon, particularly if others with similar experience see your post.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hi. Have you had any update on whats going on?

    I'm 27 female going through a similar thing. I've had left throat pain for going on 5 months now and my left tonsil is very big. I've had a scan and the scan didn't show anything bad and the ENT has given me the choice to have my tonsils out but she said she can't guarantee it will get rid of this constant pain I've been getting for months. Also hurts to talk eat and drink. And I'm still very worried it could be something serious 

    I hope you got sorted sorry for going on. 

  • Offline

    Hello NK,

     

    im going through a similar thing to you, I also took my husband to the dr with me as knew I would be easily fobbed off. I don't think you were wasting the drs time at all, these things need checking out. 
     

    I've got one swollen tonsil for about 6 weeks now, no ill feeling to accompany it, the dr gave me cortisone to try to reduce the swelling but it didn't do anything at all which made me start to worry, when I went back she referred me to the ENT because I also have night sweats, she did say that the tonsil looked benign and I know they can swell up for years without it being anything sinister. Anyway in my case the ENT has found another swollen lymph node in my neck that he wants checked out via a CT scan, which I'm having next week and then I have to go back to the ENT. I don't think I would have got the referral if I wasn't having night sweats to be honest. The doctor also sent me to have a chest x ray which showed no abnormality. Anyway the wait is horrible I know, have you got a date yet for the ENT appointment? There are plenty of chats in here of people who's swollen lymph nodes turned out to be nothing at all and they've had them for years. Reading those reassured me a bit, perhaps it'll help you too. My story so far probably doesn't but wanted to share as we're in a similar boat. 

    Oh I forgot, the ENT also said that if it was just for my swollen tonsil he wouldn't have been worried, its just the fact that he found another that made him order the CT scan.

    Hope you haven't got to wait too long!  

     

  • Offline in reply to Niki.fgh

    Hi Niki.fgh ,

     

    Sorry to hear you're in so much pain. Assuming they checked it wasn't infected? Did the dr give any hints as to what else could possibly be? No antibiotics or anything? I was given cortisone for mine which didn't help but mine is painless. 

    great news that the scan didn't show anything bad. 

  • Offline in reply to AbiD

    Hi. Yes I was given two lots of different antibiotics as nothing happened after the first course so they gave me another and nothing helped. I had blood tests and they were all ok. All I have been told is that it could be the aftermath of an infection and the swelling hasn't gone down they haven't said anything else. Hence why I have to choice to have a tonsillectomy she called it ine chronic grumbling tonsil. I'm still worried but I've been told not to 

  • Offline in reply to Niki.fgh

    Urgh it's horrible living with pain. Hope it goes soon. I think cancerous lumps are usually painless right? So hopefully that's something. 

  • Offline in reply to Niki.fgh

    Thank you for your replies everyone. 


    Just wanted to update you all. I saw the ENT and he looked inside my mouth and confirmed one tonsil is definitely bigger then the other. I haven't had any other symptoms or pain for a couple of weeks now but tonsil is still enlarged. He said he couldn't say anything about what it is without a CT scan so referred me for one. It's in 3 days time. If they see anything abnormal he said they would remove my tonsils.

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Petalr

    Had my CT Scan 2 weeks ago but still waiting for a call or something for the results. The wait is the worst part. Not sure if results get sent to the urgent ent doctor or back to my gp. Tonsil is still swollen, occasionally abit achy but can't say I've noticed any new symptoms.

  • Offline in reply to Nk_91

    Thank you for the reply, im wishing you the best with the results. My tonsil is slightly bigger but I wouldn't say enlarged so I'm a bit panicked, would you say yours looked swollen in terms of covering your throat? Please keep us updated. Sending you love

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.