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One tonsil enlarged - definitely cancer??

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Hi everyone,

First of all I've tried to make this as short as possible and I know only a doctor can tell us for certain, but I really want some reassurance that it might not be cancer so I don't completely breakdown everday over the next two weeks. 

My husband has had issues with a painless lump in his throat since before we met (nearly six years ago). He said it gets better and worse sometimes, but never completely goes away. Twice it has become so large it effected his breathing and he went to the doctor, and both times he was prescribed some antibiotics that made things better but it would always come back. He was also told one tonsil was larger than the other, but that it wasn't worrying. 

Fast forward to now. He has had some issues since we've been together with the lump making him cough at lot beacuse it's irritating his throat (his words!), but in general it has been pushed to the back of my mind. However, a few months ago I noticed my husband was sort of wheezing when he breathed out (breathing in is fine, as is eating) and I have been begging him to go to the doctor about it. He was relutant at first becuase he siad it had been worse than this before, but he finally agreed and we went to the doctor yesterday. 

The doctor commented that, again, one tonsil was much larger than the other and he wasn't sure what it was. He didn't think it was anything to be worried about because of how long he had had it and he wasn't really in an 'at risk' group (he's in his early 40's, no family history and doesn't smoke or drink heavily), but he gave him an urgent referral to an ENT. I panicked when I heard that, but my husband said it wasn't because he was overly concernced and it was just so we wouldn't have to wait months to be seen. He should have a throat scan (? sorry, don't know the correct word!) within two weeks. 

I am so so scared. I have had awful issues with health anxiety in the past and would use Dr Google for everything (I know I shouldn't) - I'm pretty sure I ended up diagnosing myself and my husband with every type of cancer out there! It got really bad and I was barely sleeping so I completely banned myself from Googling anything, which made things a lot better. However, last night I couldn't help myself and every single post about one tonsil being englarged (without pain) said it was tonsil cancer.

I can usualy talk myself out of panicking, but at the moment my conversations are just going: 

"The doctor said it was almost certainly nothing" - "But then why give an urgernt referral" - "To save us waiting months to be seen, he was a great doctor" - "But one tonsil larger than the other without pain is always cancer, he was just being nice and trying to stop you worrying becuase he knows in two weeks he'll be diagnosed with cancer" - "Even if it is cancer it can be treated, remember all the stories online about people who got better" - "Well it's been over six years, it's clearly going to have spread everywhere by now" - ect...

I'm sorry for going on so much. I know only the doctors can tell us for certain what it is, but does it HAVE to be cancer? I can't find anything else other than cancer for his symptoms and I just can't stop worrying. Is there anything else this could be? If it's cancer we'll deal with it, but these next two weeks are going to destory me if I don't have a tiny ray of hope that it might be something less serious. 

Thanks for reading :( 

  • Offline in reply to tabtom1

    Hi everyone, 

    I had my tonsils out 7 days ago today due to assymetry and am awaiting the biopsy results! I had a call today from ENT to say my results were back and I will get a call from the doc tomorrow to discuss. Has this happened to anyone else post surgery? My anxiety is now through the roof surely this means bad news? I'm 30 years old Thanks 

  • Offline in reply to Noodle90

    Hang in there, just a little bit longer ...

     

    In my case I had the post-op scheduled since before the surgery (for 1 or 2 weeks afterwards, can't remember now, it was 2 years back), probably to avoid this ping-pong with 2 calls which would drive anyone crazy.

     

    I was 34 back then, was very scared against all the reasuring advice from doctors. I know it sounds easy now, I hope you'll get the best outcome out of the phone call tomorrow.

     

    Marius

  • Offline in reply to Noodle90

    Hey, how are things? did your GP speak to you about your results. 

     

    I'm being referred to ENT for enlarged tonsil on the right...I so feel its getting bigger so quite nervous. I had childhood eye cancer so worry I'm more high risk of secondary cancers. 

     

    hope all is well for you. 

  • Offline in reply to Kate2212

    Hi all,

     

    I have the same issue , my right tonsil is bigger than the left tonsil. I am almost 40 years old and I am panic bec of google search . I had three episodes of tonsillities within 2 months . Now I noticed my right tonsil is bigger than my left tonsil and there is some blood mixed with salive and no pain no lumps in my neck . I am due to be seen by ENT specialist within 10 days.

  • Offline in reply to almahjooby

    Hi, just been reading this.

    For about 4 years at least iv suffered with what feels like frog in throat and im always coughing to try get rid.....I also have had an enlarged tonsil on one side since I was a kid.

    This feeling like phlem in throat is everyday all the time its horid,suffered with reflux a lot as used to eat so much spicy food but have not had the reflux now for 6 months having cut right down on the spicy food.

    I'm 57 now and iv always suffered since a kid and have had this enlarged tonsil for at least 40 years....

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Noodle90

    Hi, 

     

    how did you get on? My husband is due to have his tonils out on Tuesday due to one being larger than the other. No other concerns or symptoms. It was recognised by a dentist in hospital when he had wisdom teeth removed so was referred to an ENT. Wishing you well. Thanks 

  • Offline in reply to cassie1337

    Hi everyone,

    Reading this forum has been really helpful for me.

    I am early 20s and for over a month have had a very large left tonsil. Was given antibiotics but a month later and my tonsil is still as big if not bigger. Feel like it could be food getting stuck in it? However GP said that's not what happens and tonsil stones are not food but pus from an infection. I cannot see any tonsil stones though.

    Have now sent photos to GP and waiting to hear back, they are very understaffed at the moment so its taking ages. My throat has become sore and uncomfortable again on the left side as well as my ear.

    Hoping to get an appointment to see a GP in real life tomorrow. I may ask for possibility of a referral to ENT, however feel like they will jusy give me antibiotics again.

    Thanks again everyone for your posts. Hope you are all doing ok?

  • Offline in reply to cassie1337

    Hi there,

    Hope all went well with your husband's tonsil removal?

  • Offline in reply to Noodle90

    Noodle, 

    Can you please give us an update on your biopsy results? I came across your post and it sounds very much like my wife's case and I would like to know what happened. Thanks.

  • Offline in reply to ella222

    Hi, 

    it went well thank you. 
     

    he was in lots of pain day 4-7, the worse pain he's ever had but was warned by the nurse it would be the most painful stage. 
     

    we are actually still waiting results. We will have to chase as he was told would be sent within 4 weeks and he had his surgery the end of May. I'm hoping no news is good news. 
     

     

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