Tonsillitis after oral tongue cancer - 06-15-2012 07:28 AM
Has anyone ever had a case of tonsillitis after oral cancer surgery? My cancer was HPV-, no risk factors. I've had a unilateral sore throat since 5/22 with tonsillar swelling extending to my uvula (all of my surgical side). I wasn't ill in any other way, but just a very bad sore throat and change in speech, similar to how I sounded just after my partial glossectomy.
I saw my PCP and she gave me 5 days of tapered prednisone, as well as 10 days of Augmentin. I was a good doobie and took all of my meds. I was also taking 800mg of ibuprofen 3 times daily. She told me that if I wasn't significantly better within 24 hours of taking the prednisone, that I would have to go the the ED to rule of a peritonsillar abscess. I did that and do not have an abscess per the ENT at the ED at Mass Eye & Ear, where my SO is located. My throat culture was negative for strep, so they said that the tonsillitis was viral, but caused a secondary ear infection.
My tonsil edema went down about 70%, but it has been the same size since roughly May 27th. I saw my surgical oncologist on June 1st for a routine follow up. He evaluated me and said that the tonsil is still enlarged, but it can take 4-6 weeks for the inflammation to go down. I tried to convey to him how much this hurts, despite taking so much ibuprofen...my entire surgical area was painful...tongue, jaw, ear (even though infection was gone), and throat. He prescribed Tylenol #3 for me. Honestly, I've been taking 2 tabs, 1-2 times daily IN ADDITION TO 800 MG IBUPROFEN to control the pain.
I called his office last week and spoke with his nurse, whom knows me very well. He said that if I'm not better by next week, to come in and see him. Well, the week's almost over and I haven't gone to see him, so I will do so next week.
Here's the kicker...the monkey wrench in the works. I had a routine CT in early April. I have some palpable enlarged nodes which have been stable. When he called to give me the results, he said that the CT was fine and the nodes were consistent with my clinical exam. So, I go back for my routine follow up on June 1st and I find out that I was supposedly supposed to have a repeat CT. I am crazy OCD about my cancer follow ups and have a 5-subject notebook where I make notes on EVERY visit & phone call. No one told me I needed a repeat CT. Of course, I'm talking to the secretary and I nearly shat myself right there in front of her! I waited to see him, trying hard not to go into a full-blown anxiety attack. Finally, he comes in and says that he ordered the repeat scan in order to set my mind at ease. He said that I have a 9mm node that the radiologists tend to recommend "very close observation or biopsy". I have been through this last August, but the nodes were 5 & 6 mm and in the very same spot. They were excised and benign.
I know this is a long story and I'm sorry for it being so, but I am starting to second guess myself given this situation of tonsillitis symptoms and the enlarged node. I told him that if he feels comfortable waiting another 8-10 weeks for a repeat CT, then I trust his judgement. He is a well-renowned surgeon and is know for his close follow ups with his patients and conservative nature of treatment.
Is tonsillar cancer HPV-related? I've never had tonsillitis in my life. It's just so close to my surgical site that it's making everything hurt, even my tongue, and with the enlarged node...I am getting all worked up. I know I have to give him a call and see him next week, but I guess when it comes down to it, I want to know...
1. Has anyone had tonsillitis either before or after OC?
2. Is a 9 mm node common and what is the criteria for possible malignancy?
3. In your opinion/experience, would you wait until August 10th for a repeat CT. My SO said that at this point in my care, he wouldn't normally order a repeat CT for 6-9 months from my one in April, then once a year thereafter.
I know I am making myself crazy and I know you are not doctors. I am just trying to calm myself down and get some thoughts/experiences from you all.
Thanks so much for putting up with this craziness in my head!
xo,
Kerri
I saw my PCP and she gave me 5 days of tapered prednisone, as well as 10 days of Augmentin. I was a good doobie and took all of my meds. I was also taking 800mg of ibuprofen 3 times daily. She told me that if I wasn't significantly better within 24 hours of taking the prednisone, that I would have to go the the ED to rule of a peritonsillar abscess. I did that and do not have an abscess per the ENT at the ED at Mass Eye & Ear, where my SO is located. My throat culture was negative for strep, so they said that the tonsillitis was viral, but caused a secondary ear infection.
My tonsil edema went down about 70%, but it has been the same size since roughly May 27th. I saw my surgical oncologist on June 1st for a routine follow up. He evaluated me and said that the tonsil is still enlarged, but it can take 4-6 weeks for the inflammation to go down. I tried to convey to him how much this hurts, despite taking so much ibuprofen...my entire surgical area was painful...tongue, jaw, ear (even though infection was gone), and throat. He prescribed Tylenol #3 for me. Honestly, I've been taking 2 tabs, 1-2 times daily IN ADDITION TO 800 MG IBUPROFEN to control the pain.
I called his office last week and spoke with his nurse, whom knows me very well. He said that if I'm not better by next week, to come in and see him. Well, the week's almost over and I haven't gone to see him, so I will do so next week.
Here's the kicker...the monkey wrench in the works. I had a routine CT in early April. I have some palpable enlarged nodes which have been stable. When he called to give me the results, he said that the CT was fine and the nodes were consistent with my clinical exam. So, I go back for my routine follow up on June 1st and I find out that I was supposedly supposed to have a repeat CT. I am crazy OCD about my cancer follow ups and have a 5-subject notebook where I make notes on EVERY visit & phone call. No one told me I needed a repeat CT. Of course, I'm talking to the secretary and I nearly shat myself right there in front of her! I waited to see him, trying hard not to go into a full-blown anxiety attack. Finally, he comes in and says that he ordered the repeat scan in order to set my mind at ease. He said that I have a 9mm node that the radiologists tend to recommend "very close observation or biopsy". I have been through this last August, but the nodes were 5 & 6 mm and in the very same spot. They were excised and benign.
I know this is a long story and I'm sorry for it being so, but I am starting to second guess myself given this situation of tonsillitis symptoms and the enlarged node. I told him that if he feels comfortable waiting another 8-10 weeks for a repeat CT, then I trust his judgement. He is a well-renowned surgeon and is know for his close follow ups with his patients and conservative nature of treatment.
Is tonsillar cancer HPV-related? I've never had tonsillitis in my life. It's just so close to my surgical site that it's making everything hurt, even my tongue, and with the enlarged node...I am getting all worked up. I know I have to give him a call and see him next week, but I guess when it comes down to it, I want to know...
1. Has anyone had tonsillitis either before or after OC?
2. Is a 9 mm node common and what is the criteria for possible malignancy?
3. In your opinion/experience, would you wait until August 10th for a repeat CT. My SO said that at this point in my care, he wouldn't normally order a repeat CT for 6-9 months from my one in April, then once a year thereafter.
I know I am making myself crazy and I know you are not doctors. I am just trying to calm myself down and get some thoughts/experiences from you all.
Thanks so much for putting up with this craziness in my head!
xo,
Kerri
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