I am a healthy 29 yr old non-smoking, non-drinking male. I posted on this sight in April of 2005 with a problem of swollen tonsils. What I failed to include was the fact that my right tonsil was larger than my left tonsil.

The right has bigger than the left for approx. 2 or 3 years now without any further change. I have always had throat and sinus infections ever since I was a small child and my sore throat always seemed to focus on the right side.

I had sinus surgery back in 2002 because my sinus cavity was 100% blocked from cysts, polyps, and swellings from what my ENT said was "repeated sinus infections." The reason I say the right tonsil has been larger since after 2002 is that I do not remember my ENT saying anything about it. But who knows?

I had bloodwork done last year when I had a bout of tonsilitis (ana,cbc,sed rate,metabolic panel,strep) everything was normal except it did show strep in my blood. I was treated.

What does anyone think of the possibility of tonsil cancer? Is it plausible to think cancer could linger in my right tonsil for several years? The tonsil, while enlarged, has not gotten any bigger. Could this be a result of chronic inflammation? Any insights?

Hello Pascal

You need to speak to your ENT specialist about your tonsils and you concerns. I am not a specialist on tonsils but do know that tonsils can get enlarged from repeated infections.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

I very much doubt a tonsil cancer. I am sure that you would have had some reaction from the top of the neck lymph nodes on the errant tonsil side a long time ago. The fact that it hasn't occurred is obviously a good sign!
See your GP about your repeat infections. Ask about a possible tonsilectomy.

cheers Tony K

Thank you so much for your entries! I have had this for quite some time, its only after reading about it on the internet that I have began to really worry.

I have an RN in my family who checked my lymph nodes and said she could detect nothing abnormal. That is good I suppose. Keep informing me everyone......anyone out there have asymmetrical tonsils????

Hi Pascal,

I have had cancer of the Tonsils. I had what I thought was an ear/throat infection in July when I was on holiday. I had antibiotics, and these eased the symptons, but did not clear them completely. I saw my own GP when I got home and as my right tonsil was the only enlarged one he asked if I had any difficulty opening my jaw to its full extent, because this is a sympton of Quinsy, a specific disease where only one tonsil becomes enlarged. I had some more anti-biotics, and over the next two months went to see my doctor every week as nothing seemed to cure the swelling. Eventually I was referrred to a consultant, because the swollen tonsil kept getting bigger. I had my tonsils removed at the end of September, and a biopsy confirmed that I had squaemous cell carcinoma. I believe that the swollen tonsil kept trapping particles of food, and this caused repeated infections.

Your situation doesn't sound the same as mine, as I was very aware of the enlarged tonsil, and it seemed to be growing in size. I kept choking on my food, especially sweetcorn, and I had a constant sore throat.

Tonsil cancer appears to be on the rise, especially amongst younger people, and this could be due to HPV (try searching this site for HPV). If you are worried ask your doctor to refer you to a ENT specialist.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jenni,

Thank you as well for your response. I hope all is well with you at this point. My right tonsil has been "enlarged" or "swollen" for a couple years now. I dont actually remember it happening, just one day there it was.....

But i know it was like that 2 yrs ago at least. It just stays the same, hasn't gotten any bigger (except during infections or after I irritate my throat speaking....then it returns to its original enlarged size.

I have a family member who is an RN, they checked my lymph nodes and said none were enlarged. I was also told that if that tonsil was a problem, that I should have had other symptoms by now. (furthering enlarging of the tonsil, enlarged lymph nodes, increase throat pain...) I have had none of these. Any further insight highly appreciated.

If anyone has been through tonsil cancer or has known anyone with this disease, could you enlighten me on the symptoms?

How fast does tonsil cancer progress? Is it slow growing? Can it be in a tonsil for over 2 yrs and the person not know it?

Just looking for information. Thank you.

Pascal,
I had tonsil cancer-but i had no symptoms at all in my mouth. I just had a lump on my neck which was a secondary tumour. We only found out the primary cancer was on my tonsil when I gad a PET scan.
Everbody is different with their stories - but I do think you would have had other signs by now. Get it checked out see you doctor and also your dentist.
Anne

Hi Pascal
I too had tonsil cancer, my symptoms were: enlarged tonsil
a crater appearing in my mouth
some pain from lymph glands

all these were really minor and I ignored them for too long, I would think that after 2 years there would be much more than just an enlarged tonsil, but you should really have it checked by a specialist.

Rosie

Thank you for your response, I hope everything is well with you now. Everyone I talk to says basically the same thing....After 2 yrs there should have been additional symptoms or signs, but I agree an exam is probably needful.

Anyone know what else could cause assymetrical tonsils/

hey are you still alive? I had a sore throat about 5 years ago and noticed my tonsil a little larger than the other the info that i have read is that the studies have shown no more malignancy in the asymetrical to the symetrical tonsils.

Hi. I know this is somewhat late, but I have this right now. My left tonsil looks like it is about to burst, and is almost touching the uvula. I have been like this for one week though, and it got so bad I had to stay home from school on Friday. When I was about 12 years old I had tonsilitis and bronchitis at the same time, and ever since I have had both my tonsils swell, but only one was slightly bigger when I am sick. This time, I have found that I have only had my left swell, but I dont even have a cold! I hope you have found a solution, and I hope you share it when you have found the answer.

I do hope you have seen your GP Cassie and if so what did he/she say?

tony k

My 3.5yr. old, daughter, has had a swollen right tonsil for at least 1.5 yrs., Her pediatrician said she will grow into it, and she has swollen lymph nodes, and they said they seem that way because she is skinny. So, last week I noticed it is touching her uvula, and it's just the right side, She also snores in her sleep. and has trouble swolloing food sometimes. I went to a different Pediatrician and they did blood work, that came back within normal limits. And we have a appt. with an ENT on wednesday, Im scared, she isnt even 4yrs old yet. Please give me some input! I have been asking the doctor about this for a couple yrs now, and it's just now gettin looked into. Im a wreck, It doesnt hurt her though.

My 9 year old son has this problem! I am wondering if DanaZ is still checking this and could let me know how your daughter is doing? Did they remove the tonsils? They usually do if there's snoring with possible sleep apnea. The ENT recommended we remove my son's due to the assymetry. And when he gets sick, they really balloon up and he snores like he cant get enough air. The ENT says its a low risk that its cancer but they will biopsy it be sure and I'd rather get them out so we can rule that out.