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Possible tonsil cancer?

Katx2021
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Hi, new here. Not sure if I should be posting here or not.. but here nonetheless.

I noticed that my right tonsil was larger than my left back in November, called the doctors in regards to this and spoke to a nurse who said it was most likely down to stress (it's been a crazy year or two). She suggested I took a couple of days from work to recover, so I did. I didn't think much of the fact it was still there as I generally felt better and not so run-down and sore throaty.

Now, 3 months or so later, and my right tonsil is still just as large. I also have the sensation of something in the back of my throat, like, I need to swallow it or something. This sort of seems to come/go, but I think it's there more when I'm lying down or thinking about it, or sometimes just at random points in the day. I also should add that I'm HPV positive currently, as I've read that these can also be related.. I spoke to my GP via telephone yesterday who looked at the picture I had previously sent back in November (as there have been no changes since). She suggested ENT take a look and said that it was unlikely to be anything 'serious' such as cancer as I'm young and healthy. She said the referal would take about a week.

The next day (today) I got a call from ENT with an appointment on Monday. Obviously my anxiety is now even more sky high, espeically with the quickness of this! When I phoned through to ENT, I was under 'code red' and was told it was for urgent appointments within 2 weeks, so this makes me really anxious that ENT have looked at the picture I sent to the doctor and thought it was really bad.

I currently suffer with severe anxiety, mild depression and OCD, so this is really hitting me mentally and I'm besides myself.

I really need some peace of mind, and I know ultimately I won't have anything close to that until I see the specialist on Monday but, has anyone else experienced the same? What was the outcome?

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    Hi Katz

    I'm Ian and I have been through the treatment couple years ago and am now fine and feeling great.

    Your nurse is right in as much that it is not really that normal to have such a diagnosis of tonsil cancer at a young age.
    There are many reasons for your symptoms and majority all turn out to be nothing serious at all.
    As for ENT most referalls are so someone who is a little more specialised in this area rather than a general practitioner or a nurse can have a look and try to get to the bottom of your symptoms and alleviate your worries.
    As for sending the GP a picture I dont think this would have any bearing much at all as ENT, if necessary, will have a look at throat with proper specilaised camera/feel area etc and not consider any diagnosis as a result of a self picture sent by someone. 
    Fact that you are referred within 2 weeks is actually a good thing and imagine you are just going through normal booking procedure to try and fit you in within this period.
    I would very much doubt any consultant will have seen any picture you sent etc and would not form any basis for quick appointment

    Understand your agnst and trying to put things into perspective and I'm glad you are not having to wait unduely for an appointment and are to be seen by ENT Monday.
    Please try and stay off Google as there is so much mis information out there and try and stay as positive as you can in the circumstances.

    Good luck with Monday and please let me know how you get on.

    regards
    Ian

     

  • Offline in reply to Anchor1707

    Hi Ian,

    Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear you're feeling good now - If you don't mind me asking, what symptoms did you have?

    I think I would be less worried if I didn't know I had HPV - as I read this is now a leading cause of throat related cancers in younger people. I've now tested positive for this twice (so over the course of nearly 2 years).

    Thank you for trying to put some perspective on it for me though, I appreciate it. My mum and boyfriend have been trying to do the same all evening, it's just very difficult to not focus on those worries until I know for sure. Particularly this month as 'death' is a big theme as it's now approaching nearly a year on from losing my dad (not cancer related).

    I will update on Monday.

    Regards,

    Kat

  • Offline in reply to Katx2021

    Hi Kat

    I had various symtoms but rember we are all different plus I was a much old age when I went on this journey, 
    I toally understand your agnst and let's hope your mind is put at rest on Monday and see what ENT have to say.

    Try and stay as positve as you can and it's good that you will be seen on Monday and not long at all and I'm sure they will get to the bottom of it all.

    Let me know how you get on

    kind regards
    Ian

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