Tonsil Cancer Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment

Tonsil Cancer Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment

Tonsil Cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in one of the three types of tonsils of the throat. Most tonsil cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which arise in the lining tissues of the mouth.

Tonsil Cancer most commonly occurs in the palatine tonsils, which are located on either side of the throat. However, tonsil cancer can also occur in the pharyngeal tonsils also called adenoids.

Tonsils are lymphoid tissue behind the nasal cavity, in the lingual tonsils, at the back of the tongue. The palatine tonsils, which are at the back of your throat and the lingual tonsils, at the base of the tongue. The last type of tonsils which usually comes to our mind, when we hear the term tonsils. From these three sets of tonsils, the palatine tonsils are the most likely to become malignant or in other words, cancerous.

Tonsil cancer may begin as sore on tonsil or hole in tonsil at the back of the throat due to tonsillar lymph node. Normal sores or sore on the tonsil heals automatically as your tonsils cells grow back. But, throat cancer due to HPV or cancerous bump on tonsil> do not go away. Problems with eating, swallowing and talking may occur, and the sense of taste may be altered. Lymph nodes in the neck may be enlarged and unexplained weight loss may occur.

Tonsil Cancer risk factors tops tobacco and alchohol. According to medical science, smoking is the most common risk factor for tonsils cancer and squamous cell carcinomas of lungs, a deadly lung cancer. Alcohol can also be a reason behind it. But one, who is using the combination of smoking and alcohol use yields an even greater risk than using either substance alone.

Tonsil Cancer Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment

In addition to smoking and using alcohol, there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing tonsil cancer. This includes old age over 50 years, chewing betel quid (paan), compromised immune system due to conditions such as HIV/AIDS. Taking corticosteroids or immunosuppressants medications for organ transplant. Tonsil cancer is more observed in male gender and people who take diets low in vegetables and fruits.

Tonsil Cancer Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment

There are two types of cancer that affect the tonsils i.e. squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. Tonsil cancer is considered a form of oropharyngeal (oral) cancer. To know about its symptoms and treatment, keep reading.

Symptoms of Tonsil Cancer

Although the specific cause of tonsil cancer is not known yet, but several risk factors have been identified, including tobacco and alcohol use. Infection by human papilloma virus plays an important role in the development of genetic changes that initiate the development of throat cancer. The signs of tonsillitis should not be confused by tonsil cancer. Tonsil cancer symptoms includes sore at the back of the throat that does not heal. Please find below the deyailed sign and symptoms of tonsil cancer:

  • Altered sense of taste
  • Bad breath
  • Bleeding
  • Difference in tonsil size
  • Difficulty eating, swallowing or talking
  • Ear ache
  • Hoarseness
  • Lump or sore that does not go away
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
  • Throat pain
  • Unexplained weight loss

Life threatening tonsil cancer symptoms include:

  • shortness of breath,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • labored breathing,
  • wheezing, or choking
  • vomiting blood or black material resembling coffee grounds

Throat Tonsil Cancer Pictures

If you are wondering what does tonsil cancer in the throat look like, below is the tonsil cancer picture and images to explain:

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Treatment of Tonsil Cancer

Like other types of cancers, kind of treatment you receive really depends on the stage, what type you have, and how aggressive you and your physician would like to be when it comes to treatment. Treatment of tonsil cancer begins with seeking regular medical care throughout your life, including regular dental care. Regular medical care allows a health care professional to provide early screening tests. Generally, three types of treatments are used:

Tonsil Cancer Surgery treatment

Most patients will need surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Patients with stage I or II cancer may not need any more treatment than this, although radiation may be recommended since a single remaining cancer cell could grow into another tumor.

Tonsil Cancer Radiation Therapy treatment

After surgery, many patients undergo radiation to kill any remaining cancer tissue. There are several kinds of radiation. It also depend on your particular situation.

Tonsil Cancer Chemotherapy treatment

Patients with stage III or IV tonsil cancer will likely need chemotherapy. A new treatment called induction chemotherapy is being used to shrink tumors.

Radiation therapy or surgery can be effective in treating early tonsil cancer, and chemotherapy can be effective in treating more advanced tonsil cancer. Most doctors will recommend a minimum of surgical treatment followed by localized radiation. Some physicians also use hyperthermia. In hyperthermia, the body is being warmed to a high temperature in order to kill cancer cells. The goal of tonsil cancer treatment is to permanently cure the cancer or to bring about a complete remission of the disease.

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