Welcome to the forum Loua24.

We have had a few members past and present post about finding lumps in or around their throat and hopefully some of them will reply soon to share their experiences with you. Do try using the 'search forum' option in the blue bar above to look for discussions to join in on from those who have been in similar situations as well.

I hope the results from your blood test bring good news next week Loua and that you don't have to wait too long for an appointment to see the ENT.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Loua24

I'm not a medic, but a sudden sore throat, swollen tonsils, and unpleasant taste sounds like it might be an infection to me, but today doctors tend to be hypervigilant and make referrals just so they don't get criticised for missing something. 

I've been suffering from a chronic sore throat for about 4 months. I saw my GP in November and was put on a treatment for suspected gastric reflux - a common cause of sore throats. It didn't help so I went back just before Xmas, and I was referred to ENT under a two week urgent referral. I was lucky in that I was seen within 2 days.

The process I went through with the ENT is pretty normal. I saw the consultant and had an endoscope put up my nose while he had a good root around inside my head. He used the endoscope to look down my throat.  He then said I needed an MRI, which I had a week later, and 10 days after that I got the results. Nothing obviously wrong, but I now needed a "panendoscopy" and biopsies under general anaesthetic to be sure. I had that a week later, got the results two weeks after- all clear no cancer, but no clear cause for the sore throat either.  

From other people's comments, that sort of experience is typical, and those are the sorts of test you might have to go through before you get an answer. 

I saw my own GP yesterday and we discussed everything. The final conclusion is that this is down to snoring, and I could usefully lose some weight (tell me something I didn't know). I've still got the sore throat but at least I'm reassured nothing nasty is going on. 

What can you learn from my experience?  I would say don't panic because you're put on an urgent pathway. Only 1 in 10 people on these pathways end up actually having cancer when all the tests are done. Don't panic because you're given such-and-such a test. Everybody gets these tests, and having one doesn't mean anyone thinks, or even suspects, that you have cancer. They're just following the protocol.  Don't panic if you can't get any immediate answers - you'll just have to wait for the results and it's a complete pain. Don't panic if a doctor or nurse is quiet, or has a strange look; they're simply concentrating on the task in hand. Don't bother asking an MRI or CT technician what they've seen. They can't tell you, and without an interpretation from a trained radiologist, what they've seen is meaningless. And don't read anything into the timing of results and appointments. A quick appointment simply means you have less time to wait - absolutely nothing more than that.

I hope your experience turns out as good as mine. Please keep us posted with things as they happen. Best wishes. 

Hi telemando 

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me I appreciate it and hearing your story. I’m pleased with your outcome. 

I think after the initial scare and googling of symptoms I have now calmed down I realise I’m not going to get the answers I need until I see the specialist. I should get my blood test results on Thursday so that’s a starting point then I just need to wait for my appointment to come through. 

I think I was just a little worried as the doctor didn’t really give me any indication to what might be the problem but I understand that he needs a second opinion and that’s why I need to see the specialist. So I guess it’s just a waiting game for now. I will ban myself from looking on google now at my symptoms! 

I will definitely keep you updated with my appointments and results from my blood tests etc  

many thanks 

Hi I just thought I would put an update on here for anyone in a similar position to myself. So I saw an ENT specialist last month who said I had a cyst on my tonsils so he popped it there and then however my tonsil is still very large on one side. He then made and appointment for me to go back and see him yesterday however I had another appointment come through for a different ent specialist at the hospital so I attended that appointment earlier this month instead. He basically took one look at my throat and then said I would need to have them removed and he would send them for testing. Whilst I am very relieved that they will be removed in a couple of weeks as I have had my appointment through already for my opperation I was just wondering if this has happened to anyone before where they have the tonsillectomy straight away without any other testing or scans first etc? 

Any information or similar experience it would be great to hear from you. 

Hello Loua24, any updates on your tonsil problem? 

I would appreciate a response, having simmilar symptoms. What did it turn out to be after you had your biopsy? Regards

Hi There 

id very much like an update too if possible. I found a lump on my tonsil during my pregnancy in 2016, I went to the drs several times & was dismissed with antibiotics. I mentioned it again at my 6 week check up after a second pregnancy & have now been urgently referred to ent. 

To say im terrified is an understatement, 

kind regards 

Hi, 

I have had a enlarged right tonsil for months with tonsil stones quite often. When I've mentioned tonsils stones to the Dr or dentist they hadn't heard ofvthem

Ta

Hi am just going through a similar experience, had swollen tonsil and really bad throat pain and lump on side of neck , after being fobbed off by drs saying it’s a virus I insisted on seeing ent , went yesterday and was told something suspicious on one tonsil , and I am to have them out to be tested , got phonecall today to say am having it done on Monday , shocked at how quick it’s being done but pleased as well , scared is an understatement , now worried if it is the horrible word wold they have been able to see anything else while they had camara down there ? How hass yours turned out would be good to hear from you

maria

Apologies for not replying to previous posts I don’t recall any notifications. 

I had my my tonsils removed on 1st May 2018, I won’t sugar coat it, it was a very painful experience. I ended up spending two nights in hospital as I was sick and couldn’t eat. Once I managed to eat I was aloud to go home. I was back on my feet a few days later although the pain was quite unbearable although the hospital did supply lots of painkillers. 

I got my results back a few weeks later and they where benign thankfully. I must say since having my tonsils removed I can’t recall having any sore throats so it was definitely worth it. 

Hope all all goes well for your opperation, make sure you rest and eat as much as you can as eating really does help the healing process. Fingers crossed you get the all clear too. 

Thank you for reply and so pleased you got the all clear what a relief , yea been told a few times it’s painful haha , that I can deal with it’s the waiting for results that’s the killer , thank you again and glad you are well

maria