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Tonsil query

Jelley
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Hi All, 

I wanted to reach out for some advice.

I had a lump that lasted a couple of months on the side of my tongue, and soreness of my mouth in general, my dentist referred me to a specialist, when I saw them, the lump had almost gone, however they were more concerned about my tonsil size and the fact my right was larger than my left, they then referred me to ENT.  They advised that I have bloods taken and an MRI, I recieved those results and the Radiologist Consultant had wrote that I had a enlarged node in my neck and that the tonsils were enlarged with the right being bigger than the left, they stated they believed it to be markers from an infection.

My Consultant continued to say that while they are happy with these results, that as an adult I shouldnt have large tonsils and that I qualify to have them removed, and that due to their size they would be sent off - she then said this would provide a definate answer re cancer...surely the bloods and MRI would have done that?

I guess my query is, has anyone else experienced this where scans and bloods were deemed normal. but removal provided a dignosis of cancer?

Thanks

 

  • Hi Jelley and welcome to the forum. 

    We actually have quite a few members here who have had issues with tonsils/tonsil cancer. I've had a look through some of the posts using the search function but can't find any posts that would necessarily help with your question. 

    If a Consultant suspected cancer then typically a biopsy or removal of the tonsil would be done as until these is looked at under the microscope it's difficult for them to say with absolute certainty one way of the other. 

    You might find it helpful to chat things through with one of our team of nurses. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that your surgery goes well and that you have a positive outcome. Do let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Hi Jenn,

    Many thanks for taking the time to respond to me.

    I'm not actually booked in for the surgery, my consultant said that I would meet the criteria for having them out, but that the radiologist consultant commented on my MRI that the enlarged tonsils and lymph node look like markers of a previous infection, so I dont want to go through it unnecessarily.  It was the comment she made after which has left me confused as to what to do, she said if you want to be sure if its cancer or not to have them removed, but I thought the MRI and bloods would tell them if it was cancer - is this not the case?

     

    Thanks

    Alison

  • Offline in reply to Jelley

    Hi I’m at the stage where I’m having an MRI on Thursday. The ENT consultant gave me the choice of having the tonsils straight out for biopsy or going for MRI first. When I said I’d rather do MRI he said he agreed that he thought that was appropriate . I’m still a bit in shock I didn’t realise  asymmetrical tonsils where a sign of anything nasty. Like you I’d gone about something else. 

  • Offline in reply to Ann11

    Hi,

    Thats exactly what happened to me.  We agreed MRI first, and the consultant said they had notes to take a biopsy when I returned but felt happy with the results.  My concern is I have heard people have found their results came back fine, but opted to have their tonsils out anyway which when checked showed cancer.  I guess I'm looking for stories like this to know if I should have them out anyway?

     

    Good luck with yours, I hope its all positive,

    Thanks

    Alison

  • Offline

    Hi Jelley . 
    I know it's been a while but how did you get on? I'm in the same boat and sinking with anxiety. Mri was clear but just showed an enlarged tonsil ... dr wants to see me to chat about it . Did you end up getting your tonsils removed? 
    thanks W x

  • Offline in reply to Winnie14

    I had MRI, stressed  myself to bits about it and it was fine. Still got my odd sized tonsils. It was a different doctor gave me the results, he said it's common .  Hope that helps. 

  • Offline in reply to Annie11

    Thank you Annie ... I'm just so worried as to why they want to see my face to face especially with the covid situation . The ent secretary told me the scan was fine and normal but the dr wants to chat ... now it's the maxilo facial dr that wants to see me . 
    I've got a bit of earache too :( 

    hooefully it's nothing , mri scams deffo pick up anything sinister don't they?? 

    thank you W x

  • Offline in reply to Winnie14

    Try not to stress too much, its a positive start if you've been told the MRI went ok. I hope it's not a long wait until your appointment. 
     

    Good luck . 
     

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