Tonsil Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment

Tonsils are a pair of oval- shaped pads at the back of mouth which is part of body’s germ- fighting immune system. They help the body to defend against bacteria and viruses entering the throat and mouth. They consist of lymphoid tissues which comprise of lymphocyte cells which fight off diseases. They carry out the mechanism of trapping germs with change in size by swelling up with blood. The throat has three types of tonsils, namely the pharyngeal tonsil or adenoids at the back of the throat, the palatine tonsils on the sides of the mouth and the lingual tonsils on the base of the tongue.

What is Tonsil Cancer?

A type of oropharyngeal cancer is the tonsil cancer which affect mouth and throat. It can also be classified as throat cancer or head and neck cancer. The palatine tonsils are usually involved in cancer of the tonsils which is the common host of squamous cell carcinomas of oropharynx. So, tonsil cancer begins when cancerous cells develop in the tonsils. It basically occurs when abnormal cells form in the two oval- shaped pads in the back of mouth.

Causes of Tonsil Cancer

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated that, the tonsil cancer cases appear to be increasing due to rise in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections.  One of the study by NIH suggested that 93% of people diagnosed of tonsil cancer, tested positive for HPV. Habits like heavy or regular consumption of alcohol and tobacco can increase the possibility of this cancer. In certain case, people with their tonsils removed also hold the risk of cancer as some tonsil tissues often remain even after surgery. 

Symptoms of Tonsil Cancer

In some cases, there is no trace of symptoms until the spread of tonsil cancer. Certain symptoms hold resemblance with other illness like strep throat or tonsillitis. Some of the common symptoms include, longer lasting sore throat, chewing or swallowing difficulty, white or red patch on the tonsil, a sore on the back of the throat, a persistent earache, difficulty consuming citric foods or drinks like orange juice and a lump in the neck or throat. Other symptoms may include hoarseness or change in voice, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, ear pain especially on only one side.

If one happens to have one or more above mentioned symptoms doesn’t account to having tonsil cancer as many noncancerous problems have similar symptoms. But, prolonged tonsil infection that don’t get cured with antibiotics then, it is preferable to visit a specialist.

Diagnosis of Tonsil Cancer

The first diagnostic step for tonsil cancer is the examination of the mouth and throat. Specialist doctors might check the throat for lumps using a mirror and a bright light. In case of abnormal observations found, a sample of cells would be collected for lab testing. Some of the other diagnostic measures include X-rays, blood tests, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy, Position Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Orthopantomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

Treatment of Tonsil Cancer

Tonsil cancer treatment depends on the severity or stage of the cancer. Surgery is the most recommended treatment wherein a surgeon removes the precancerous cells or tumour. An additional tissue around the tumour region is removed to further prevent the risk of leaving behind the cancerous cells. At times, a person may require further surgery for recovery of teeth and voice functioning. Doctors may recommend radiation therapy to shrink tumour after surgery, to help kill any remaining cancerous cells. This therapy helps to stop the growth of tumour and destroy cancerous cells. Then there is chemotherapy, which is a powerful medication used to kill cancerous cells, slow their spread and shrink the size of tumour for easy removal. Usually, chemotherapy and radiation therapy is provided alongside for cancers of the mouth and throat. While, chemotherapy comes with a side effect as it damages the neighbouring healthy cells, due to which targeted therapy is conducted. This therapy, drugs are targeted precisely and selectively to cancerous cells only. In case of advanced cancer, a person might need additional support like palliative care or counselling.

Tonsil cancer is comparatively rare and statistics suggest that average chance for a person to survive is more than five years after diagnosis of it. The survival rate happens to depend on the HPV status. According to 2011 census, in India, around 6,800 people with 4,510 males and 2,257 females were diagnosed of oral cancer. So, incidence rate is 9 per 100,000. There is no need to be bothered about any type of cancer as the important step is to visit a doctor and access to prescribed medicines. Buy medicine online in India, which will make sure to get your required orders to be delivered on time.