Tonsil Cancer
Tonsil cancer is the most common form of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. But among all types of cancer, tonsil cancer is still relatively rare, affecting a little more than eight out of 100,000 people. Tonsil cancer treatment is usually successful if it is diagnosed early.
What is tonsil cancer?
Tonsil cancer is cancer that starts in the tonsils, the two small glands in the back of the throat. Your tonsils are part of the body’s immune system, filtering out bacteria and other toxins from traveling down the throat.
Tonsil cancer can also spread quickly to other parts of the body, particularly the nearby lymph nodes.
What are tonsils?
Tonsils are small glands in the throat, one on each side. They are there to fight germs when you are a young child. As you get older the tonsils become less important in fighting germs and usually shrink.
Image of tonsils
Types of tonsil cancer
There are two main types of tonsil cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. Tonsil cancers may also be grouped by which part of the tonsil is first involved and what causes the cancer to form.
What is the treatment for tonsil cancer?
Treatment for tonsil cancer could include:
- surgery
- radiotherapy
- chemotherapy
- chemotherapy with radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy)
- targeted and immunotherapy drugs
