Cryptic Tonsils

My biggest fear, of course, is Throat Cancer.Have had bronchitis and pneumonia this year, am going for allergies testing in September, and do have acid reflux disease(GERD).

Went to ENT in January all looked well.I noticed my left tonsil had *holes* in it,back in May or June and went to ENT walk-in last week.They dx'd cryptic tonsil.Heard them say nodule benign.Am going to my regular ENT next week for an evaluation of tonsils(they mentioned possible biopsy, this after saying nodule/benign, enough to get me stressed and am convinced it is throat cancer.The right tonsil is normal looking, the left one ragged and inflammed looking in the arch in front(forget the name of this).When I burp gas, there is a sensation that seems to be felt in my throat on the left side.Explained this but they didn't seem to comprehend.

Have suffered with neuralgia on this side of my face for years, had a cat scan and MRI 2.5 years ago which resulted in biopsy of my thyroid, and it was benign after half removed(right side).

I am a total basket case.I was using Astelin, and have been prescribe Rhinocort but am hesitant to use it as I used it about 3 years ago and had to have my left nostril cauterized.

Needless to say, I am obsessing over this, thinking it must be cancer of the tonsil.

What should I ask the ENT for tests to be done.He looked down my throat in June,dropped the scope thing down, and he said it looked fine.

[National Jewish]

Many people have cryptic tonsils.  They are not linked with cancer.  You have certainly been thoroughly evaluated and the testing has not found any cancer.  The biopsy that has been mentioned should tell whether or not it is cancer.  To give you further peace of mind you could seek a second opinion from an ENT at a medical center associated with a teaching facility.

[plm]

Well, this isn't the kind of answer you're looking for, but I think you get some meds for anxiety.  People with anxiety fear the worst and blow things out of proportion.  A chest cold becomes lung cancer, etc.  Sometimes people have anxiety and it manifests itself as obsessive worry over a physical ailment.  Ask you doctor to give you temporary anxiety meds.  He could put you on Buspar, which takes several weeks to build up in your system, and in the meantime, you could take some fast-acting Xanax.

Once your brain has been calmed down, you will be able to think rationally about the problem in your throat and deal with it.  If you have been under a doctor's care and he has looked at it and said don't worry, then don't worry.  If you feel it would be helpful, get a second opinion, but in the meantime don't obsess and worry about it.

It sounds like you have been through some hairy medical procedures in the past.  So now your brain is just extra worried about other things that might happen to your health.

[thinkingtoomuch]

Thanks for the reply, and advice on meds.Presently, not on any, and do not want to be on any, for now.

Am having tonsil removed.At first visit with specialist, he seemed to feel it was not anything, and felt when removed it was probably be nothing.

Pre op visit today, mentioned removal of tonsil and mentioned, something about, if there is anything else(such as what?doctor=?) there will be other things needing to be done(again, such as what?).

So, all in all, am not in as anxious tonight.Not to say tomorrow isn't another day.

[thinkingtoomuch]

Thank you for your comments.I am having the tonsil taken out on the 5th of September, by an ENT specialist.He is associated with a teaching facility.He is a top surgeon in the ENT specialist field at this hospital, and did surgery on my thyroid.(benign, thankfully) a few years ago.

At first, he assured me everything looked normal, and he felt once the tonsil was removed and biopsied, it would be normal.At the pre op yesterday, he mentioned(silly me, of course he would mention) if there was anything else there would be *other things*.I am assuming, further tests, etc......I do have a swollen lymph gland on that side, which he examined and said that after tonsillectomy, if this still remains, further to be done in that area to rule out say, lymphoma.

All in all, while not perfect, I am not as anxiety ridden as I was two weeks ago.

I am thankful for your concerns and postings.

[tbrown]

I'VE GOT A HOLE IN MY RIGHT TONSIL THAT DISCHARGES A FOUL SMELLING MUCUS AT TIMES. I CAN USE A Q-TIP AND APPLY PRESSURE AND IT COMES OUT IN A MASS FORM. IS THIS WHAT THE CALL A CRYPTIC TONSIL? OR IS THIS A SIGN OF SOMETHING ELSE. MY MOTHER ALSO HAS THIS PROBLEM.

[jess804]

A related discussion, cure?? was started.

[heatherm1]

A related discussion, Response for tbrown was started.