Hi, im 32 weeks pregnant, 30 years old and pretty frightened about my tonsillar pillar areas. I went to the dentist pre symptoms in May for a general check and all okay. In Mid June, started to experience what i can only describe as funny sensations down my right side of tongue with associated ear ache. I visited GP and got some antibiotics 4 an ear infection. To be fair, synptoms cleared.

However.... Since end of june / beg of July, i noted red patches on my tonsillar pillar areas on both sides. They seem to extend up in exactly the same way onto the edge of my soft palate. At first, i put it down to all the messing / poking around id done when i was experiencing the tongue sensations (i kept pulling back my tongue to have a look) Alongside the redness is the on / off ear ache in both ears and general funny feelings in my mouth. Ie one minute i have a horrible sore throat / shooting pains and then it goes. Then, i have funny sensations down my tongue or neck & again, they go. They reappear but spontaneously & i can never be sure what area of my mouth will be affected next!!

I have an appointment at the dentist friday to get checked but im so frightened as these red, long shaped areas arent going and neither are the associated symptoms. Im pretty much sure that ive got C. Has anybody had symptomd such as these??

Helly S

Hi Helly!

Hopefully you have nothing serious going on! The rule goes like this.... any sore that you have in your mouth for 2 weeks or longer and it doesnt go away needs to be checked by a professional. I would suggest seeking out an ENT who specializes in oral cancer. They would be the ones who are most familiar with things like this. Only thru a biopsy will you know for certain exactly what you have going on. Visually a professional may suspect but they cant tell for sure without a biopsy and pathology report. Many dentists rarely come across oral cancer (they only focus on the teeth) which is why I suggest you find an ENT. It could be any number of things going on. I hope its not cancer!

Good luck!!!

Hi Helly,

Fear of cancer is real and very scary. Absolutely get checked by an ENT that specialized in OC's. In the meantime, try to relax. Typically, symptoms of oral cancer won't come and go like you're experiencing. Many of us had no real symptoms at all. I had none of the symptoms you describe. My cancer started with a swollen gland that didn't respond to two rounds of antibiotics. No sore throat, no swallowing issues, no pain. I was diagnosed after a FNA biopsy.

Of course I'm not a doctor but tonsil issues mimic OC's in many ways and I would think, based on what you describe, that's what's going on. There was a fella on here not too long ago with similar symptoms and he was sure he had cancer too. After his tonsillectomy and biopsies all was fine.

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"

As others have said, get to an ENT that has experience with oral cancers.

Definitely get it looked at - but if it eases your worry, truthfully cancer generally will have a primary - so with two tonsils involved I'd be wondering about an infection of some sort. hugs and good luck.

Hi Helly -- I respect the extra care you're taking to stay healthy with a baby on the way! So much to be excited about, and sooooooooooooooo many new things to worry about.

It's rare for tonsillar OC to cross the mid-line of your head and neck, rarer still for both sides to be cancerous when first detected. One potential cause of bilateral tonsil irritation and tongue irritation is snoring, even just mouth breathing can be irritating in certain conditions. A visit to an ENT will put your mind at ease, I bet.

We are pulling for you!

Thankyou so much for your lovely replies. One thing that i should have mentioned is that i had my main tonsils (whatever they are called) removed as a child. I know you have other tonsils in your mouth though. Does this make any difference?

Yes, i thought it strange that any cancer would cross the midline and maybe in my mind, thats why ive left it a month. Still, my symptoms are very real and ear ache has just woken me up actually. Im in England, hence the time difference. Oh, over here we see dentists first who then refer on to ENT if concerned. You cant just self refer to them :-( There are time scales ie if cancer suspected by a dentist, patient had to be seen by ENT or max fax within 2 weeks.

I think you are all amazing people and love it that you support each other so well.

I believe your family dr can refer to an ENT as well. Mabe try him or her?

Yeah GP"s can too. Have my dentists appt tomorrow afternoon and they are much better placed to assess mouths etc. i guess i will know a bit more tomorrow. For now, its that anxious wait...

Try not to worry its not unheard of but unlikely hugs.