Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisStagingTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Staging
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonsil cancer is a type oforopharyngeal cancer.When it’s diagnosed in the early stages, many people who have tonsil cancer can have good outcomes.
You have three sets oftonsils:
Of these three sets of tonsils, the palatine tonsils are the most likely to become malignant (cancerous).
Verywell / JR Bee
The symptoms of tonsil cancer are similar to symptoms of common upper respiratory infections, such asstrep throatortonsillitis. However, while infections tend to worsen quickly and then resolve, cancer symptoms generally linger or slowly worsen.
An enlarged tonsil, which can be seen with a routine physical or dental exam, may be an indication of tonsil cancer.
Symptoms of tonsil cancer can include:
Several risk factors can predispose a person to tonsil cancer, including alcohol use, smoking, and/or infection withhuman papillomavirus(HPV).
This cancer is more common among men than women, people over age 50 (although tonsil cancer can occur at any age), and those who have had anorgan transplant.
The HPV Connection
HPV-positive malignancies are much more responsive to treatment than otherhead and neck cancers.
HPV prevention strategies include getting anHPV vaccineand using condoms.
Healthcare providers use different tools to help diagnose cancer of the tonsils. The first step of this process is your medical history and physical examination.
If necessary, your healthcare provider may order one or more of the following tests:
If you are diagnosed with cancer, it is classified into a stage, which defines how far the disease has progressed.
Typically, there are four different cancer stages:
The treatment you receive for your condition will depend on what type and stage of tonsil cancer you have. You and your healthcare provider will discuss the treatment plan that is best for you. The treatments chosen may vary depending on the characteristics of the tumor and whether it developed due to HPV.
If you have a higher risk of cancer coming back and are treated with surgery, you may be given radiation therapy or radiation therapy pluschemotherapy.
Immunotherapy has also been approved for use alone or in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic tonsillar cancer.Keytruda (pembrolizumab) may be used in combination with chemotherapy agents.
Targeted therapy may be used if the tumor has certain characteristics. Erbitux (cetuximab) is a targeted therapy that may be used in combination with radiation therapy.
Can I still get tonsil cancer if I previously had my tonsils removed?
Yes, tonsil cancer can still develop in any tonsil tissue that wasn’t removed in the surgery.
What is the tonsil cancer survival rate?
How can I prevent tonsil cancer?
Summary
Many cancers are most treatable when caught early, and tonsil cancer is no exception. If you notice symptoms such as sores in your mouth, pain, or a sore throat that won’t go away, or if you have blood in your saliva or lumps in your neck, talk with your healthcare provider right away.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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