Surgical biopsy? I guess, but my tonsil (tumor) was biopsied by snipping a piece out. They numbed the throat - it was no big deal. If they are giving you a tonsillectomy, that's a fairly unpleasant procedure for an adult. They will give you pain meds I am sure.

They are supposed to numb your nose and throat with a numbing spray (I like the banana flavored stuff) when they use the nasolarygnoscope. It's no big deal either, I occasionally request it even.

Be sure that the biopsy sample is tested for HPV as well. In the long shot that you do have cancer, it is more likely that, at your age, that would be more of a causative agent than use of tobacco products. Why didn't you quit 2 years ago? Wasn't that the agreement with your wife? Maybe tobacco isn't the causative agent now but it could very well be in the near future.

GERD is more known to be a causative agent of esophageal cancer. You definitely want to get a handle on that as well.

There are conditions, other than cancer, that can be causing your symptoms. You are wise to rule out cancer.