Hello all!

I am a 21 year old female and I am worried about this thing in my throat. I'm looking for advice and I know it's a crazy thought, but I am worried about cancer.

In July, I suffered from a sore throat for a week or so, off and on. I finally checked my throat and found a lumpy thing where my tonsil should be. However, my tonsils were removed when I was seven. I saw an ENT in mid - August, who said tonsil regrowth. He told me to come back in six weeks and if it had grown, he'd take it out. Sure enough, it got larger and I have surgery scheduled for 5 weeks from now.

I've been having trouble swallowing, ear pain, neck pain and sore throats, mostly on the side of tonsil growth. Also, ive been having issues with severe exhaustion for over a year now. However, I've recently noticed that there is a piece of the tonsil growth that hangs over the back of my tongue. Is that normal? Because I feel like tonsils don't grow that way.

I know that oral cancer would be rare in my age group (especially since I only drink socially and have never been sexually active - was raised in heavy secondhand smoke though) but I can't help but worry. I have been through 3 serious cancer scares (turned out to be benign tumors and a very rare disorder) but it has made me hypersensitive to the issue.

If I were to post a picture of what the lump looks like, would you survivors be able to tell me if I am over-reacting or not? (obviously only a medical professional can tell me if it's something serious but I would really appreciate some opinions)

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads this.

Welcome to OCF! Glad you found us, sorry you had to!

You have an area in your throat that concerns you and a scheduled surgery to remove it after seeing the proper medical specialist to get answers from. You are so ahead of the curve! Way to Go!

The symptoms could be from a myriad of different things too lengthy to list however and not cancer. I wouldn't let it worry you at all as you're already on the right path to getting answers.

Now the way I see it, you've got a couple of options. You can wait the 5 weeks until surgery have it removed, let your ENT know your concerns about cancer and request a biopsy of the tissue after the surgery OR you can get a second opinion and get a biopsy done of the area of concern and wait for the pathology report before having surgery. It all depends on what it's going to take to ease your mind.

Take one step at a time without scaring yourself with too much information just yet. Keep us posted and don't let your mind run wild.

Keep your chin up,

Eric

Welcome to OCF. I know its a very scary time when you consider the possibility of having cancer. It could be all kinds of things. You are on the ball by getting yourself checked out. Since your tonsils were already removed you probably have some scar tissue there. Maybe you have an infection causing some swelling. Hope it turns out to be nothing and you do not need to be here! I would suggest having a biopsy prior to the surgery. Its always better to have choices and know what you are dealing with before jumping to cure the unknown. Of course thats just my opinion.

This forum is made up of caregivers and oral cancer patients both current and former. Sorry but nobody here would be able to diagnose you over the internet. Even doctors after going thru many years of medical training cant be certain if something is cancerous by looking at it. If it helps, here is a bunch of photos from the main OCF pages. Click on a photo and then read what the diagnosis is. It will surprise you to see some things be cancerous while others arent.

OCF gallery of mouth issues

Good luck with everything!

Hi there welcome! I'm a fellow Canuck out of Toronto. Everyone here is right - you are way ahead of the game. This is obviously worrying you so call the ENTs office tell them you are worried that youre ready to go on a days notice. Swing by pick up a Preop package - and have your Preop done that way if they have a cancellation - they can call you. Maybe knowing how worried you are they'll move it up. To answer your other question (and try not to scare you further) you are young, and have no precursors for this disease - however - that's no guarantee. There are a few young people here on the boards - and the worst of it is - other than the fact they are so young - drs tend to rule out cancer ( this type in particular) because of your age. So push for a biopsy for sure, and if you are really that concerned either go back to your present ENT or go to someone else for a biopsy. I know waiting for a specialist can take a long time but once you have a name you can call and as them to move you up or put you on a cancellation list. Biopsy results can take up to 10 days but that would still ease your mind - your symptoms could be considered OC related but it could also be indicative of a low grade infection. Hough having one sinc July seems pretty long term. I wish I could help more good luck! And hope you don't have to be here. Is it possible this growth could be related to your other cancer scare?