Posted in: Tonsil Cancer Treatment by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 09 Oct, 2016
Tonsil tumor is the kind of tumor that occurs in one of the three tonsils of the throat – palatine tonsils, which are located on both sides of the throat, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids, which is located behind the nasal cavity, and the lingual tonsils, located at the back of the tongue.
Tonsil cancers are usually squamous cell carcinomas, and they appear in the lining tissues of the mouth. Though it is also possible for lymphoma, which is a kind of immune system cancer, to develop in the tonsils.
The most common cause for squamous cell carcinomas of the tonsils is smoking, along with alcohol. And, a combination of both cause an even greater risk than using one of the substances alone.
Symptoms of Tonsil Tumor
Tonsil cancer symptoms may include soreness at the back of the throat, which does not seem to get better. Another symptom is one tonsil being bigger than the other. It is not always necessary that the tonsil tumor is painful.
Some other symptoms are bleeding, altered taste, and bad breadth. Larger cancers may even interfere with eating, breathing, talking, or may even make it hard to open the mouth.There may also be unexplained weight loss and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
Following are the symptoms:
- Bad breath
- Altered sense of taste
- Difference in tonsil size
- Bleeding
- Ear ache
- Difficulty in talking, swallowing or eating
- Lump or soreness that doesn’t get better
- Hoarseness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat
- Unexplained weight loss
- Throat pain
Some Life-Threatening Symptoms of Tonsil Tumor
There are cases where tonsil tumor becomes life threatening. Immediate medical assistance needs to be taken if you are facing the following symptoms – respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, labored and difficult breathing, not being able to breath, wheezing, or choking. Some other alarming symptoms are vomiting blood, or black material that resembles coffee grounds.
Treatment and Therapies
Early tonsil tumor can be effectively treated with radiation therapy or surgery. The best chance of curing tonsil tumor is by catching, and treating it early. Prompt medical care needs to be taken if there is bleeding in the throat, difficulty in eating, speaking or swallowing, soreness or lumps at the back of the throat, or if there are any other symptoms that concern you.
At Cancer Healer Center, the treatment is carefully decided according to the stage of cancer. The treatment usually works on the principle of Immunotherapy, which enhances the immune systems and helps it to fight cancer. Other traditional therapies like Chemotherapy and radiation therapy is also used along with Immunotherapy, which further improves the chances of survival.