Description

Tonsil cancer is a growth of cells that begins in one of the tonsils. The tonsils are two oval-shaped pads in the back of the mouth. They help the immune system fight germs.

Tonsil cancer can cause difficulty swallowing. It can give the feeling of something stuck in the throat. In the tonsils, the cancer is often diagnosed in advanced disease. Often, the cancer has spread to nearby areas, such as the lymph nodes in the neck.

Tonsil cancer is considered a type of throat cancer. In the tonsils, the cancer occurs in the part of the throat behind the mouth, called the oropharynx. The cancer that begins in this part of the throat that is sometimes called the cancer of the oropharynx.

The treatments for the infection of the tonsils cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of tonsil cancer include:

  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • A feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat.
  • The inflammation and the pain in the neck.
  • Ear pain.
  • The stiffness of the jaw.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor, dentist, or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

In the tonsils, the cancer occurs when the cells in the tonsils develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, changes that are given different instructions. The changes, to tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells.

The cancer cells may form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. At the time, cancer cells can break off and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

It's not always clear what causes the changes in the DNA that lead to the infection of the tonsils cancer. For many of the tonsils types of cancer, human papilloma virus is the thought of having a party. The human papilloma virus, also known as HPV, is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. For most people, HPV does not cause any problem. For others, it causes changes in the cells that could one day lead to cancer. Tonsil cancer caused by the HPV tends to occur at a younger age and is more likely to respond well to available treatments.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of cancer of tonsils are:

The use of tobacco

All forms of tobacco increase the risk of cancer of the tonsils. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff.

Drinking alcohol

Frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the tonsils. The use of alcohol and tobacco increases the risk even more.

Be exposed to the human papilloma virus

The human papilloma virus, also known as HPV, is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. For most people, it causes no problems and goes away on its own. For others, it causes changes in the cells that can lead to many types of cancer, including cancer of the tonsils.

Prevention

Things that can help to reduce the risk of cancer of the tonsils, which include the healthy decision making and have regular check-ups. To reduce your risk of cancer of tonsils:

Do not use tobacco

If you don't smoke, don't start. If you currently use tobacco of any kind, talk to your health care provider about strategies to help you quit smoking.

Limit your alcohol intake if you choose to drink

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Have regular health and dental exams

During your appointments, your dentist, doctor or other health care professional can check your mouth for signs of cancer and pre-cancerous changes.

Consider the HPV vaccine

A vaccine that can help prevent infection with the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV. HPV infection increases the risk of cancer of the tonsils and other types of cancer. To receive a vaccine to prevent HPV infection may reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers. Ask your health care professional if the HPV vaccine is right for you.

Diagnosis

To diagnose cancer of the tonsils, a health professional can begin to look close to your mouth and throat. Other tests and procedures may include imaging tests and a procedure to extract some cells for testing.

The examination of the throat and neck

A health professional may use a mirror or a tiny camera to examine the mouth and throat. The health professional can feel the neck to check for swollen lymph nodes.

Removing a sample of tissue for testing

Your health care professional may recommend a biopsy to obtain some of the tonsils of the cells. A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. To obtain the sample, a health professional can cut some cells of the amygdala. Or the health care provider may use a needle to remove some cells from the inflammation of a lymph node in the neck.

In the laboratory, the so-called medical pathologists look for signs of cancer in the tissue sample. The tissue sample will also be put to the test for the human papilloma virus, also known as HPV. If cancer cells show signs of HPV , this greatly affects their prognosis and treatment options.

Taking tests image

Imaging tests create pictures of the body. They can help health professionals to better understand the size of your cancer. Imaging tests can also look for signs that the cancer may have spread beyond the tonsil.

The test image is used for cancer of the tonsils may include:

  • The computed tomography scan, also called a CT scanner .
  • Magnetic resonance imaging, also called magnetic resonance imaging .
  • Positron emission tomography, also called PET .

Staging of cancer of the tonsils

Your health care team uses the information from these procedures to assign the cancer a stage. The scenario tells your health care team about the extent of your cancer and its prognosis.

The stages of tonsil cancer range from 0 to 4. The lower numbers indicate a small cancer that only can be in the amygdala or may have spread to a few nearby lymph nodes. As the cancer grows or spreads to more lymph nodes, the stages get more. A stage 4 tonsil cancer is one that has grown beyond the tonsils or has spread to many lymph nodes. A stage 4 tonsil cancer may also have spread to other parts of the body.

Stages of cancer of the tonsils are different for cancers that show signs of HPV infection and those who do not. Talk with your health care team about their tonsils, the stage of the cancer and what it means for your outlook.

Treatment

The treatments for the infection of the tonsils cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Other treatments include targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Your health care team takes into account many factors when creating a treatment plan. These factors can include cancer of the location and how fast it is growing. The health care team, you can also see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and the results of the tests on the cancer cells. Your health care team also considers your overall health and your preferences.

Your treatment may also depend on whether the cancer cells show signs of human papilloma virus, also known as HPV. Researchers are studying whether people with HPV-related cancer of the tonsils can be treated with low doses of radiation and chemotherapy. This less intense treatment causes fewer side effects. Studies have found that seems to be as effective as higher doses. If the amygdala, the cancer is found to be associated with HPV, you and your health care team may consider the possibility of a clinical trial to study less intensive treatment.

Surgery

The goal of surgery for cancer of the tonsils is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Surgery may be used to treat all stages of cancer of the tonsils.

The surgery is most often done through the mouth. Doing surgery in this way is called the surgery transoral. Surgeons undergo tools through the mouth of access to cancer. Surgeons remove the cancer with cutting tools or lasers.

In certain situations, it may be necessary to make a large incision in the neck. This approach allows surgeons to remove major cancers and cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes. The reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation can be required to restore your ability to eat, speak, and swallow.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful rays of energy. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. During radiation therapy, a machine directs the rays of energy to specific points on the body to kill cancer cells.

Radiation therapy can be used alone for the treatment of small cancers that have not grown beyond the tonsils. Sometimes radiation therapy is used after surgery if the cancer cannot be completely eliminated. It can also be used after surgery if there is a risk that the cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes.

The radiation can also be combined with chemotherapy. The chemotherapy makes the radiation work better. Radiation and chemotherapy in a set is sometimes used as the first treatment for cancer of the tonsils. Or radiation, and chemotherapy can be used as additional treatment after surgery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. For the tonsils, the cancer, chemotherapy is usually combined with radiation therapy. It can also be used alone to retard the growth of the tonsils cancer that has come back or has spread to other areas of the body.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that attack specific parts of cancer cells. By blocking these parts, specific treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Targeted therapy may be used to treat infection of the tonsils cancer that spreads to other parts of the body or comes back after treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment with a medication that helps the body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. The immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells. Immunotherapy can be used when the tonsils, the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and other treatments have not helped.

Rehabilitation services

If the treatment does not affect their ability to speak and eat, you may need rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation specialists who work with people with tonsil cancer include those in speech therapy, swallowing therapy, dietary, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. These services can help with your recovery after infection of the tonsils cancer treatment.

Coping and support

The people who are facing a serious illness, often say that they feel concerned about the future. With time, you will find ways of dealing with the feelings caused by an infection of the tonsils cancer diagnosis. Until you find what works for you, you can find solace in these strategies:

Ask questions about cancer of the tonsils

Write down questions you have about your cancer. Ask these questions at your next appointment. Also ask your health care team by reliable sources where you can get more information.

To know more about cancer and their treatment options can help you feel more confident in making decisions about your care.

Stay connected with friends and family

Your cancer diagnosis can be stressful for friends and family also. Try to keep your involvement in your life.

Your friends and family will probably ask if there is anything I can do to help you. Think about the tasks that you would like to help, such as taking care of your house if you have to stay in the hospital or simply being there when they want to talk about.

You can find comfort in the support of a group that cares for your family and friends.

Find someone to talk to

Find someone to talk to, who has experience in helping people facing a life-threatening illness. Ask your health care team to suggest a counselor or a medical social worker can talk. You may find it helpful to talk with other cancer survivors through support groups. In contact with the American Cancer Society or ask your health care team about local or online support groups.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your doctor, dentist or other health care professional if you have symptoms that concern you.

If your healthcare professional is concerned that you may have cancer of the tonsils, you may be referred to:

  • A surgeon who operates on the head and neck.
  • A doctor who uses medicine to treat cancer, called a medical oncologist.
  • A doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer is called a radiation oncologist.

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as changing your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking and the dose.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health care team.

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For the infection of the tonsils cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is my stage of cancer of the tonsils?
  • Can you explain the pathology report to me? I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • More evidence is needed?
  • What are the options of treatment for my cancer of the tonsils?
  • What are the benefits and risks of each option?
  • There is a treatment option which we recommend over the others?
  • What would you recommend to a loved one in my same situation?
  • Should I get a second opinion from a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

You will probably be asked a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow time later to cover the points you want to address. You may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Your symptoms are continuous or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of cancer of the Tonsils