Enlarged Tonsil

[ALTSELGREEN]

A week ago I was referred to a consultant maxillo/facial surgeon by my gp, as I have a small polyp type cyst on the edge of my tongue. The specialist looked at my tongue and remarked that it looked perfectly benign and that it could be removed easily. He then examined the rest of my mouth and neck and remarked, to my surprise, that my right tonsil was unusually large compared to the left. I have never had any tonsil trouble and have not been aware of anything untoward. Two days later, I am in an MRI scanner having numerous neck scans including one with a dye injection. I am now waiting with some anxiety, the results of the scans as this condition doesn't google particularly well(I know-but we all do it!). Has anyone any similar experience of this?

[gingernut]

It sounds like he's covering all bases.

It's not unusual to find enlargement in one tonsil only. Usual reasons are local infections. (which would fit with the tongue symptoms)

I'm assuming that you are youngish, I'd be surprised if it's anything nasty in a young fit chap.

Index of suspicion goes up with age and history of smoking.

Keep us informed please.

[ArthurBorges]

Tonsils are an integral part of your immune system: do not have them removed. When they flame up, they're just doing their job.

Too many folks have been indoctrinated with the idiocy that the immune system is an army of soldiers keeping out the enemy: that's pure :mad:.

The immune system is your ultimate negotiator with the outside world; its job is to interface with the local universe of microbes you experience every day and to figure out which ones it wants lots of, which it wants none of -- and, in most cases, how many of each sort it wants to let in and accommodate for reasons of mutual benefit.

Leave tonsils alone!

Let them do their job without billable outside interference.

[ALTSELGREEN]

Late forties ex smoker(some years ago now). I appreciate to remove them for no reason is not particularly good, but in this case, if they are abnormal then maybe they will need to go? I have no infection or tonsillitis type symptoms.

[ArthurBorges]

Physicians have all manner of means to panic you into purchasing their services.

Get a second opinion if needed -- if you fly through CDG, try the oncology department in a local public hospital.

PM me for names.

[ALTSELGREEN]

MRI shows right tonsil about 2-3 times bigger than left, but little else -report recommends a biopsy. My consultant is very aware of not removing the tonsil just for the sake of it, and he is considering a PET scan to see if that will provide more information. Biopsy with the option to remove the tonsil scheduled in a couple of weeks.

[homonculus]

Please follow your consultant's advice and have a biopsy - in practice this will mean removing the tonsil and examining it in the lab. The negative scans are great news and you should not unduly worry, but there is just a possibility of changes just in the tonsil. To delay or forego treatment by not having a biopsy, if your consultant advises it, would be crazy. The other comments relate to tonsillectomy in patients with recurrent tonsillitis (I am not even going to go down that path) NOT an asymptomatic tonsil that is larger than the other side. Sorry to but in, but doctors really do know best occasionally!

[ALTSELGREEN]

Thankyou Homonculus for your reply and I absolutely agree with your comments. There was never any question of me not following my consultants recommendations. My surgery (biopsy with possible single tonsillectomy) is scheduled for early next week.

[midjet]

I had most but not all of my Tonsils taken off by Laser, by Mr. M.Dilkes at the London Laser Clinic. Give him a call and go see him before you do anything else with your current consultant. He works with Laser and the recovery time is much faster too.

[ALTSELGREEN]

Surgery yesterday involved pharyngoscopy, removal of tongue polyp and single tosillectomy. The tonsil was found to be the size of a small hens egg:eek: (How did I not feel that??) and somewhat ulcerated. Consultant is 90% hopeful for the histology result.
Lots of discomfort and voice not right at present - pretty high on painkiller cocktails. Recovery, even if all ok, is expected to be at least a few weeks.

[gingernut]

Get well soon-:)

do the mean b*stards still make you eat toast post-op?

[ALTSELGREEN]

Surgeon said forget the toast thing and eat what feels comfortable-so far lukewarm soup and porridge. Co-Dydramol for the pain which is severe in the least:{

[obgraham]

Ice cream.

Worked for me in 1951.

[ALTSELGREEN]

I am very lucky indeed-the biopsy has come back negative. My consultant was delighted, as he told me that after my surgery he feared the outcome was going to be very different. He thinks that I have suffered from chronic tonsillitis which resulted in this hugely enlarged tonsil. It is going to take a few weeks yet to fully recover from the aftermath of the surgery-especially with the tonsil having been so large, but I'm very relieved about the whole episode.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Altselgreen.. I'm so very pleased for you; it must have been very scary. I hope you can put it all quickly behind you and enjoy many years of good health.

[gingernut]

Excellent news:)