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Can Swollen Tonsil Lead To Tonsil Cancer?

Posted on Fri, 26 Sep 2014

Question: I have one swollen tonsil, but it is not painful. All my blood work is normal, mono negative, etc. Could I still have tonsillar cancer? What else would cause this?

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
it is unlikely you have cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello

There are many reasons for single sided swelling of the tonsil like an infection , a stone or a cyst in the tonsil and you could be having any one of them!

Since your lymph node swelling has gone down with augmentin , it is likely that you are having a tonsil infection.

Please meet your ent doctor for further advice , and to look for any other focus of infection.

If you have sudden increase in size , or an ulcer develops on the surface of the tonsil , or you smoke and drink , then it is advisable to have a thorough examination by an ent doctor to rule out a cancerous lesion , otherwise you need not worry.

I would like you to gargle with warm salt water 2-3 times a day and wait for another 3-4 days for the swelling to subside.

Dont worry!!

You will be fine!

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (15 minutes later)

Thank you. That is somewhat of a relief. I do drink, though not excessively--perhaps 8-10 glasses of wine in a week. I used to smoke--though I quit back in the early 1980's with the exception of a cigarette with girlfriends every once in a while--perhaps 3-4 packs a year. I also have lichen planus (diagnosed 10 years ago), which I forgot to mention--though it is under control. My husband is a dentist, and I have my teeth cleaned and examined every 3 months.

If I DO have cancer, wouldn't one of my blook tests showed something abnormal--elevated sed rate or something?

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you dont have cancer!!

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Well , from what you have told me , it is clear to me that you are not having cancer.

However i would still like you to meet a ent doctor , just to be on the safe side!

Blood tests will be normal in cancer and biopsy from the tonsil is the best way diagnose cancer , however in my opinion i dont think you will need that at present.

Please dont worry , you will be fine!

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (36 minutes later)

OK. My GP has me on Augmentin to reduce the swelling in my lymph nodes (same side as tonsil, on my neck). I started this two days ago and the lymph node swelling has gone down (but not disappeared) and my tonsil is the same--enlarged and red.

Answered by Dr. Satvinder Bakshi (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please wait for 2-3 more days

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Augmentin is a good drug and will definitely help reduce the infection of your tonsil and lymph node.

It can take around 3-4 days for the infection to subside, so i would like you to wait for at least 2-3 days more.

Dont worry , the swelling will come down.

Thanks

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar