Hello there,

I know you have posted on the Cancer chat page, but there are many, many non-cancer related causes that could be responsible for the problem, including bacterial infections, and fungal infections. 

The biopsy will help them to narrow things down, identify the cause, and select the appropriate course of treatment. If it's an infection, for example, identifying the type will allow them to use a medicine that it is not resistant towards.

AFAIK, tonsil cancer is much rarer than a whole list of other possibilities.

Hi thanks for the reply so quickly and some reassurance 

I think it's because my GP said it's definitely a growth/mass and there is no present infection she could see as to why I am worried. 
 

and ofcourse the need for an urgent biopsy with ENT just threw me off! Hopefully it is something else but you can't help but think of the first thing that pops into your mind. 

Can other illnesses cause growths/masses? 
 

thanks, 

Hello there,

Your questions are really best answered by the medical professional who examines you. 

It's understandable that you might be worried while waiting. Everyone is. Try not to think the worst. Not even your doctor knows what the problem is.

For many, many people, the biopsy simply rules out malignancy and allows doctors to prescribe a suitable treatment.