Tonsillitis: A dangerous disease!

Tonsillitis can be treated well when diagnosed at a very early stage. Standard treatment includes surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. However, in its late stages, the disease has a very poor prognosis. This severely affects the patient's quality of life. Two recognized risk factors are tobacco and alcohol. Let's find out the symptoms and ways to prevent tonsil cancer through the following article.

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• 1. Structures and neighboring organs
• 2. Symptoms and manifestations
• 3. Classification of tonsil cancer
• 4. What causes this tumor?
• 5. Means of diagnosing tonsil cancer
• 6. Treatment of tonsil cancer
• 7. Prevention of tonsil cancer

1. Structures and neighboring organs

The oropharynx is the middle part of the pharynx. This part connects to the nasopharynx above, the oral cavity anteriorly, and the hypopharynx below. The tonsil fossa contributes to the lateral wall of this structure.

The tonsils usually have an irregular surface filled with small grooves. These small grooves are part of the epithelium located deep in the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils.

>> Do you have a good understanding of tonsils? Find out now what is tonsils article ? Is tonsillectomy painful?

2. Symptoms and manifestations

Patients may have the following main symptoms:

• The tonsils can be considerably large, bulging out into the oral cavity until it is noticeable. Malignant masses may arise from one or more sites within the tonsils. Therefore, nothing suspicious can be seen on the surface except for an increase in size and strength.

• Occasionally, a dark red or white ulcerated mass may be seen on the tonsils.
• Neck block. Because the tumor can originate deep below from the small grooves mentioned above. It is also possible that the tumor has reached and spread to the cervical lymph nodes.

>> Neck lymphadenopathy is one of the typical symptoms of tonsil cancer, but it is also a manifestation of other dangerous diseases. Immediately read the doctor's article about What is cervical lymphadenopathy? What causes cervical lymphadenopathy?

In addition, there may be accompanying symptoms such as:

• Sore throat
• Ear hurt
• Feeling of a block in the neck
• Bleed
• Weight loss, fatigue are not common in this tumor

Alarm expression

• Tight jaw. This is a worrisome symptom because it suggests the possibility of the tumor spreading to the parapharyngeal space. Such large tumors may have affected or infiltrated the carotid capsule. The structure contains important blood vessels in the neck region such as the internal jugular vein and the carotid artery.

3. Classification of tonsil cancer

Types of tonsil cancer include

• Squamous cell cancer. accounted for more than 70%, most were moderately or poorly differentiated.
• Lymphomas: is the second most common type here.
• Two rare types include:
  • Secondary salivary gland tumor
  • Cancer metastasis to the tonsils

4. What causes this tumor?

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is known to result from abnormalities in many genes that regulate cell growth. These abnormalities may be genetic. But most are due to exposure to environmental factors. The two most classic elements are:

• Cigarette. Smokers have a 5 to 25 times increased risk compared to non-smokers. The risk more or less depends on how much you smoke.
• Alcohol abuse.

Recently, studies have shown that the role of viral infections also needs to be considered. Some reports indicate that HPV is present in up to 60% of tonsil cancers.

>> Maybe you're interested: What you need to know about the HPV vaccine

In addition to the above factors, a few other reasons have also been raised:

• Diet lacking Vitamin A, fruits, green vegetables
• Chewing betel nut
• Malnutrition, lack of oral hygiene
• Immunodeficiency: genetics, organ transplant, HIV infection..

5. Means of diagnosing tonsil cancer

5.1. Biopsy of tonsil cancer

• A method to help take histopathological samples for diagnosis. Remember that melanoma can be deep in the grooves.

5.2. School image

• Computed tomography (CT scan): assessment of tumor progression and invasion
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): extremely useful in assessing tumor size and surrounding soft tissue invasion

5.3. Biochemical test

• Liver function. Should be done for the following reasons:
• The patient's diet and drinking habits can lead to poor liver function
• Chemicals metabolized by the liver can be used during treatment
• Liver metastases are always possible
• Renal function. To evaluate the kidney's ability to remove toxins.
• Blood clotting function. Because bleeding is the biggest problem in tonsil surgery and helps to consider the possibility of having to prepare for a blood transfusion.

6. Treatment of tonsil cancer

The treatment of this tumor is relatively complex. A team of experts including head and neck surgeons, plastic surgeons, oncologists, .. need to consult to come up with the best treatment for the patient. Depending on the stage, it can be treated alone or in combination with:

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Valence

7. Prevention of tonsil cancer

Everyone should have a scientific and healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk and prevent tonsil cancer in particular and other cancers in general. Measures may include:

• Quit smoking, avoid passive smoking. 
• Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Eat a varied diet with lots of vegetables and fruits. Do not chew betel nut.
• Full oral hygiene.
• Preventing HPV infection…

Cancer of the tonsils is a rare condition and can go unnoticed in its early stages. There are many risk factors that can lead to this condition. But most can be minimized thanks to the individual's scientific lifestyle. The disease is easily treatable in its early stages but has a poor prognosis as the disease progresses. Therefore, as soon as symptoms are detected, it is necessary to go to the doctor for the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Everyone should regularly pay attention to their own health to detect the early signs as possible .

Doctor Nguyen Le Vu Hoang