Tasmin, The best thing is to get checked out by the appropriate specialist like an ENT, but your symptoms can easily be one of the hundreds of oral conditions other than cancet. Tonsils can be asymmetrical, and be different, and have differnt features, I believe. The solid, enlarged lymph node lasting more than several weeks should be looked into, can be related. and usually a round of antibiotics are given, which if doesn't resolve, further tests, scans are ordered, even an FNAB, Fine Needle Aspirational Biopsy, to rule out concer, and obtain further histology from it.

Good luck with everything, and keep us posted. The unknown is very tiring, stressful, but you're on the right tract to be examined.