Greetings to the Group:

I am a 38 year old male with pain 1-2 months duration, that seems to becoming from the right tonsil or behind it. The pain radiates behind ear to and the jaw and bone behind the ear are tender. I have a history of post nasal drip and acid reflux.
I have recently had normal scope, normal ENT exam, normal MRI of the neck.

I do not have enlarged lymph nodes (all 7MM or smaller)

i do not have enlarged or asymmetrical tonsils

I have never smoked

My doctor is not concerned and after a bout of anxiety over this, I have calmed a bit too.

My question specifically is, if cancer were a source of this pain, wouldn't it need to be big enough to be visible either above the surface or through MRI. Pain is typically associated with advanced cancer, am I correct?

Thanks in advance.

JJ