The Startling Facts About Tonsil Cancer, Tonsil Cancer Types

The Startling Facts About Tonsil Cancer

Tonsil cancer is seen to affect not only the older generation, but also the younger lot nowadays. Have you ever realized, or tried to figure out the importance of tonsils? If you are keen to learn about it, here is the answer. Tonsils are one of the most vital organs present in our body and are an integral part of the lymphatic system. They are nothing but a collection of soft lymphoid tissue. They are generally referred as the palatine tonsils and are present at the back side of the throat. There are three more types of tonsils present in humans, viz., adenoids and tubal tonsils that are located at the roof of pharynx,  and lingual tonsils that are present behind the tongue. Tonsils fight out major infections and form an essential component of the body's immune system. They helps us to protect against major foreign ingested pathogens.

The tonsils can, however, get infected resulting in soreness, swelling, pain, etc. If they get infected, they are more prominently seen in children, because of its large size. On getting infected, there is a possibility of they getting infected several times in the future. This inflammation of tonsils is known as tonsilitis. As doctors are becoming more aware of the function of tonsils, they are now reluctant to carry out surgeries related to removal of this organ, as tonsillectomy may tend to decrease the resistance power of the patient.

The recurring infection may hamper the breathing process. Moreover, it affects  the swallowing and chewing process, thus making the life of the patient more difficult. If an individual is a chain smoker, or has been consuming alcohol beyond limits, it may lead to severe damage of tissues. In such cases, there are chances of getting affected by tonsil cancer. It may affect any of the four types of tonsils mentioned above, the most common being the palatine tonsils. Though this cancer is rare, it is dangerous and can prove to be fatal.

The most common symptoms of this cancer are sore throat and ear pain. It may also arise due to wrong lifestyle, lack of balanced diet and exercise, weak immune system, and especially due to some disease. Men are seen to be more susceptible than women. If these conditions are not diagnosed properly and treated in time, it may lead to cancer. It is essential that you seek the advice of the medical professionals and under their guidance carry out several tests to rule out the occurence of this life threatening cancer. Nevertheless, if it is detected in its early stages, it can be treated and may actually lengthen the life of the patient. The most common treatments are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy combined along with regular medications and counselling. Yoga can prove to be a great complementary therapy as well.

Therefore, if you want to stay away from this rare but dangerous disease, it is essential that you gain knowledge about the signs, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of this tonsil cancer and make every effort to stay away from it.