I had chronic tonsillitis and infected tonsils can certainly cause the issues you describe with a lymph node coming up to try and fight the infection. My tonsils were lumpy and different shapes/sizes too. I'm wondering why the GP has urgently referred him. It could just be to rule anything sinister out. It's not impossible but I would think it would be unlikely to be cancer. As far as treatment would go - I think they have to have a plan in place within 2 weeks of diagnosis.